Is Noor Hisham still leading nation’s pandemic response?
Insider claims health director-general’s decisions being undermined, deputies now report directly to PM
A source says that the removal of Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah was considered but was shelved as it would have further dented the public’s existing negative perception of the government. – The Vibes file pic, July 23, 2021
KUALA LUMPUR – Has the nation’s number one frontliner been sidestepped?
As the country continues to battle the Covid-19 pandemic, rumours are afloat that Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah may no longer be in charge of the ongoing battle.
A number of his decisions were overturned while his deputies are now reporting directly to the prime minister.
While politics within the Health Ministry slowly unravel, sources within the government and health circles have revealed that friction between top guns at the ministry, namely Dr Noor Hisham and secretary-general Datuk Mohd Shafiq Abdullah, over policy decisions related to the management of the Covid-19 pandemic have spilled over to the Prime Minister’s Office.
As the country continues to battle the Covid-19 pandemic, rumours are afloat that Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah may no longer be in charge of the ongoing battle.
A number of his decisions were overturned while his deputies are now reporting directly to the prime minister.
While politics within the Health Ministry slowly unravel, sources within the government and health circles have revealed that friction between top guns at the ministry, namely Dr Noor Hisham and secretary-general Datuk Mohd Shafiq Abdullah, over policy decisions related to the management of the Covid-19 pandemic have spilled over to the Prime Minister’s Office.
secretary-general Datuk Mohd Shafiq Abdullah
A source who spoke on condition of anonymity said the friction resulted in the subsequent formation of the Greater Klang Valley Task Force headed by Deputy Health Director-General (Public Health) Datuk Dr Chong Chee Keong.
It is learnt that the move comes with the directive that Dr Chong, in heading the task force, will be answerable only to Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in the course of decision-making.
However, it is unclear whether a written or a verbal directive was issued.
It is learnt that Datuk Dr Chong Chee Keong’s appointment as head of the Greater Klang Valley Task Force comes with the directive that he will be answerable only to Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in the course of decision-making. – Bernama pic, July 23, 2021
The move is unprecedented given the circumstance and hierarchy within the civil and health services.
“Dr Noor Hisham is very insistent in his decision-making. It’s either his way or the highway,” the source said.
“In medical terms, he is very surgical in his approach, given his background as a surgeon. As such, many parties including those in the National Security Council (NSC) were unhappy with his methods. He has also made many within the medical fraternity unhappy with him.
“As far as decisions are concerned, the buck stops with him.”
The source added that the removal of Dr Noor Hisham was considered, but was shelved as it would have further dented the public’s existing negative perception of the government.
Furthermore, ministry officials had steadfastly defended Dr Noor Hisham against critics following a surge in Covid-19 infections due to the Sabah elections in September last year.
Among the criticisms laid against Dr Noor Hisham concerned the decision not to quarantine those who returned to the peninsula following the state polls.
However, it is learnt that Dr Noor Hisham had opposed the holding of the elections due to the pandemic, and then the campaigning and the immediate return of politicians and their supporters to the peninsula without quarantine.
Parties privy to NSC meetings over the past several months have also criticised his suggestion to reduce Covid-19 cases via blanket lockdown, especially on businesses and factories, despite the lack of cases within the particular area.
“It is not that his suggestions are bad but there are so many considerations to be made.
“Businesses and livelihoods are at stake as well. Like it or not, there needs to be a balance for both lives and livelihoods, and the government is trying its best to reach it,” the source added.
As office politics continue to plague the running of the ministry, several issues related to its management personnel, the administration and operations of hospitals, and the well-being of its staff sparks only one question: who is running the ministry?
Change of heads during the pandemic
“Dr Noor Hisham is very insistent in his decision-making. It’s either his way or the highway,” the source said.
“In medical terms, he is very surgical in his approach, given his background as a surgeon. As such, many parties including those in the National Security Council (NSC) were unhappy with his methods. He has also made many within the medical fraternity unhappy with him.
“As far as decisions are concerned, the buck stops with him.”
The source added that the removal of Dr Noor Hisham was considered, but was shelved as it would have further dented the public’s existing negative perception of the government.
Furthermore, ministry officials had steadfastly defended Dr Noor Hisham against critics following a surge in Covid-19 infections due to the Sabah elections in September last year.
Among the criticisms laid against Dr Noor Hisham concerned the decision not to quarantine those who returned to the peninsula following the state polls.
However, it is learnt that Dr Noor Hisham had opposed the holding of the elections due to the pandemic, and then the campaigning and the immediate return of politicians and their supporters to the peninsula without quarantine.
Parties privy to NSC meetings over the past several months have also criticised his suggestion to reduce Covid-19 cases via blanket lockdown, especially on businesses and factories, despite the lack of cases within the particular area.
“It is not that his suggestions are bad but there are so many considerations to be made.
“Businesses and livelihoods are at stake as well. Like it or not, there needs to be a balance for both lives and livelihoods, and the government is trying its best to reach it,” the source added.
As office politics continue to plague the running of the ministry, several issues related to its management personnel, the administration and operations of hospitals, and the well-being of its staff sparks only one question: who is running the ministry?
Change of heads during the pandemic
Datuk Dr Heric Corray is credited with, among others, arranging Kuala Lumpur Hospital’s non-Covid-19 patients for subsequent treatment or procedures at KPJ Healthcare Bhd’s facilities. – Hospital Kuala Lumpur Facebook pic, July 23, 2021
It is learnt that Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) director Datuk Dr Heric Corray, who retired on July 16, was due for a contract extension approved by Dr Noor Hisham but had this withdrawn at the last minute due to decisions made by ministry officials.
Dr Corray, who performed a sterling job of managing the hospital’s Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 patients was subsequently replaced by Dr Rohana Johan, who was previously Serdang Hospital director.
Dr Corray is credited with, among others, arranging HKL’s non-Covid-19 patients for subsequent treatment or procedures at KPJ Healthcare Bhd’s facilities.
In Sabah, the sudden replacement of Datuk Dr Christina Rundi as state health director with public health specialist Dr Rose Nani Mudin last week also sparked rumours of bureaucracy within the ministry.
When is Cyberjaya Hospital starting operations?
The long-awaited hospital located in Cyber 11 was supposed to be up and running late last year.
However, delays due to the pandemic saw Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba announcing on May 11 that the hospital’s equipment, consisting 42 ventilator units, two mobile X-ray machine units, one ultrasound unit, and 20 intensive care beds would be sent to Sg Buloh Hospital, Serdang Hospital, Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital (HTAR) in Klang, and HKL to treat Covid-19 patients.
Dr Corray, who performed a sterling job of managing the hospital’s Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 patients was subsequently replaced by Dr Rohana Johan, who was previously Serdang Hospital director.
Dr Corray is credited with, among others, arranging HKL’s non-Covid-19 patients for subsequent treatment or procedures at KPJ Healthcare Bhd’s facilities.
In Sabah, the sudden replacement of Datuk Dr Christina Rundi as state health director with public health specialist Dr Rose Nani Mudin last week also sparked rumours of bureaucracy within the ministry.
When is Cyberjaya Hospital starting operations?
The long-awaited hospital located in Cyber 11 was supposed to be up and running late last year.
However, delays due to the pandemic saw Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba announcing on May 11 that the hospital’s equipment, consisting 42 ventilator units, two mobile X-ray machine units, one ultrasound unit, and 20 intensive care beds would be sent to Sg Buloh Hospital, Serdang Hospital, Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital (HTAR) in Klang, and HKL to treat Covid-19 patients.
Fast forward to today, and Cyberjaya Hospital remains unopened, while Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital and other government hospitals continue to experience overcrowding. – AZIM RAHMAN/The Vibes pic, July 23, 2021
Despite this, Dr Adham had assured that the hospital would be up and running by June 15, but this has not happened.
Meanwhile on May 23, Dr Noor Hisham had said that the ministry was mulling converting the hospital, as well as Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Specialist Children’s Hospital, into designated Covid-19 treatment facilities.
Fast forward to today, and the Cyberjaya hospital remains unopened, while HTAR and other government hospitals continue to experience overcrowding.
Fate of contract doctors
The issue involving the future of contract doctors has yet to be addressed effectively by the Health Ministry as well.
Dr Adham had promised an amicable solution following a meeting with the Malaysian Medical Association’s Section Concerning House Officers, Medical Officers, and Specialists (MMA-Schomos), along with other ministry officials such as Dr Noor Hisham almost two weeks ago, but there has yet to be any decisive action.
Despite MMA-Schomos’ Black Monday campaign on July 12, the association representing doctors in the country remains helpless, but continues to hope for the government to guarantee better treatment of contract doctors.
The Hartal Doktor Kontrak movement, representing a group of disgruntled doctors and health workers, remains keen on staging a one-day walkout on July 26, despite risks of them getting sacked.
This is being used to illustrate Dr Noor Hisham’s inability to control doctors, said sources.
“This is a sad state of affairs. Last year, we were doing well because the government wisely allowed the civil service to take the lead in battling the pandemic,” said a senior government medical official.
“Then it all went downhill after the Sabah elections and now the politicians are in charge.” – The Vibes, July 23, 2021
Meanwhile on May 23, Dr Noor Hisham had said that the ministry was mulling converting the hospital, as well as Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Specialist Children’s Hospital, into designated Covid-19 treatment facilities.
Fast forward to today, and the Cyberjaya hospital remains unopened, while HTAR and other government hospitals continue to experience overcrowding.
Fate of contract doctors
The issue involving the future of contract doctors has yet to be addressed effectively by the Health Ministry as well.
Dr Adham had promised an amicable solution following a meeting with the Malaysian Medical Association’s Section Concerning House Officers, Medical Officers, and Specialists (MMA-Schomos), along with other ministry officials such as Dr Noor Hisham almost two weeks ago, but there has yet to be any decisive action.
Despite MMA-Schomos’ Black Monday campaign on July 12, the association representing doctors in the country remains helpless, but continues to hope for the government to guarantee better treatment of contract doctors.
The Hartal Doktor Kontrak movement, representing a group of disgruntled doctors and health workers, remains keen on staging a one-day walkout on July 26, despite risks of them getting sacked.
This is being used to illustrate Dr Noor Hisham’s inability to control doctors, said sources.
“This is a sad state of affairs. Last year, we were doing well because the government wisely allowed the civil service to take the lead in battling the pandemic,” said a senior government medical official.
“Then it all went downhill after the Sabah elections and now the politicians are in charge.” – The Vibes, July 23, 2021
Noor Hisham was doing a great job until....
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Health DG Dr Noor Hisham awarded Tan Sri title
NATION
Monday, 17 Aug 2020
KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah was awarded the title of Tan Sri at the 2020 Federal Awards in conjunction with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah’s birthday.
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It was all downhill after that, he became a compliant Civil Servant with the PN backdoor gomen wanting to tumbang the Sabah gomen, going along with the Sabah elections which triggered the Second Wave.
QUOTE
No need to postpone Sabah polls, situation still under control - Health D-G
Bernama
September 22, 2020
...."The situation is under control and the Health Ministry (MOH) is optimistic of being able to contain and mitigate the whole situation," he told a press conference on the COVID-19 situation here today.
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The least he can do now is to behave like a good Asian, culturally polite ha ha ha, clasp his hands together, bow and apologise to all Malaysians for failing to do his job, then humbly offer to hand back the title to the Agong, and resign.