Show calm, sensible response to 2019-nCoV outbreak, Malaysians urged

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KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 28 -- Leaders and experts from 14 Malaysian medical associations and societies today called on Malaysians to show a strong, calm and sensible response to the ongoing 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak. 

“They should only believe in information (on the outbreak) from trusted and reliable sources, specifically the official channels of the Health Ministry.

"We urge the people to be responsible on social media. Spreading false rumours or news is illegal and will distract the Health Ministry from important public health responses," they said in a joint statement.

The group said they stood in strong support and partnership with the ministry, besides having the highest trust and confidence in its efforts to protect the health of all Malaysians.

They pointed out that Malaysian health professionals had successfully protected Malaysia from the Nipah virus outbreak in 1998, SARS in 2003, H1N1 in 2009 and MERS-CoV in 2015.

The statement was jointly issued by Health Systems and Policy expert Dr Khor Swee Kheng, Malaysian Medical Assistance Association (MERCY Malaysia) founder Tan Sri Dr Jemilah Mahmood, Dean of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Prof Dr Raja Affendi Raja Ali, president of Association of Public Health Specialists Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar, master of Academy of Medicine Malaysia Prof Dr Rosmawati Mohamed, president of Islamic Medical Association Malaysia (IMAM) Dr Jeffry Abu Hassan and president of Malaysian Medical Association Dr N.Ganabaskaran.

The others were chairman of IKRAM Health Malaysia Dr Abdul Halim Sibghatullah, president of Academy of Family Physicians Malaysia Prof Dr Mohammad Husni Jamal, president of Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society Amrahi Buang, president of Medical Mythbusters Malaysia Dr Ahmad Firdaus Mohd Haris, president of Malaysian Nurses Association Sharipah Asiah Syed Junid Aljunid and president of Malaysian Association of Medical Assistants Mustafa Abd Majid.

-- BERNAMA