Kelantan MMEA applies for vaccine provision for personnel

 PASIR PUTEH, Nov 20 -- The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) of Kelantan has applied for funding from the Federal government  to supply vaccines to its personnel.  

The state’s MMEA director Capt Muhammad Nur Syam Asmawie Yaacob said the application was a preemptive measure against diseases for all its personnel involved in patrolling the country's waters and exposed to infections carried by foreign fishermen.

“We are applying for the provision as a precautionary measure because when involved in an operation, the personnel are indirectly exposed to the risk of contracting infectious diseases such as respiratory tract infections," he said when met at his office here, today.

He said personnel are vulnerable to diseases because a large number of fishermen who were detained have neglected hygiene after being at sea for long periods.

Muhd Nur Syam said this while commenting on the eight Pasir Puteh MMEA personnel who had been exposed to respiratory tract infections since last week after being involved in ‘Ops Naga Barat’ and ‘Ops Damai’  from Nov’ 13 to 14 at the territorial fishing waters of the East Coast of Malaysia.

Kelantan Health Department director Datuk Dr Zaini Hussin reportedly said, also experiencing the same problem were the 11 Vietnamese fishermen.

 They will also ensure that personnel patrolling the sea wear gloves as recommended by doctors as a safety precaution.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, who was commenting on the matter, said the disease was under control.

He also advised MMEA personnel not to overlook health aspects such as wearing gloves and face masks when conducting such operations.

-- BERNAMA