NS records upward trend in HFMD with 234 new cases
Nur Aqidah Azizi
New Straits Times6 August 2018
NILAI: Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) remains on an upward trend in Negri Sembilan, with 234 new cases recorded over the last six days.
From January to date, statistics show an increase of 214 per cent or 1,868 cases recorded compared to 594 cases recorded in the same period last year.
State Health, Environment, Cooperatives and Consumerism Committee chairman S. Veerapan said at the moment, four nurseries and pre-schools were still closed due to the disease.
“The spread of HFMD cases by districts to date is Seremban (1,299 cases), Jempol (140), Port Dickson (122), Kuala Pilah (101), Rembau (95), Jelebu (58) and Tampin with 53 cases,” he said.
Veerapan said those who handled and managed early childhood learning centres, nurseries and kindergartens needed to take precautionary measures.
“In addition to ensuring the basic habits of hygiene are maintained, they have to do inspection at their premises to ensure that no children are infected with HFMD.
“Parents and guardians also need to ensure that HFMD-infected children are not taken to the public places, including schools, nurseries and kindergartens, to prevent other children from getting infected,” he said when met after visiting the proposed site for Nilai Hospital and Nilai Health Clinic here today.
Nilai Hospital, which is to be built on 24 hectare land in Bandar Enstek, is aimed at accommodating the escalating needs at Tuanku Jaafar Seremban Hospital (HTJS) which has been recording an increase in the number of patients annually, with the rate of bed use reaching 80 per cent.
“It is time for Negeri Sembilan to have a second state hospital according to population growth and needs. In addition, the Nilai Hospital will also play a role as a teaching hospital to provide education and training to prospective doctors, nurses and other health professions,” he said.
For the construction of Nilai Health Clinic, the project which started in 2016 is expected to be completed in November.
“The Nilai Health Clinic is now 66 per cent complete and it will be the first multilevel clinic built in Negri Sembilan. The clinic will also provide ‘extended hours’ services operating until 10pm,” he said.
For the record, only three health clinics in the state are offering extended hours namely Seremban, Port Dickson and Bahau Health Clinics. © New Straits Times Press
