KOTA KINABALU: A crisis management system is already in place to face both the general election and monsoon season, Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said.
He added that the ministry had prepared for all eventualities after the country was struck by the Covid-19 pandemic.
"Preparedness is one of the most important considerations by the Health Ministry, especially during the months of November and December.
"(Health departments in) all states have been prepared (to face disasters by year end). We already set the standard operating procedures on do's and don'ts, (identified) areas to set up our services and the system required on reaching patients during floods or other disasters.
"As for the election, we need to wait for the announcement on when (it will be held). Only then can we be fully prepared like in the past," Dr Noor Hisham said during the opening of the four-day 24th Family Medicine Scientific Conference at the Sabah International Convention centre here.
Yesterday, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin cautioned against holding the national polls during the monsoon season which might give rise to infectious and water-borne diseases.
He had said several factors would determine the suitability of holding elections, including labour, safety, facilities and health.
Khairy added that a large number of people would be required to be on duty if an election were to be held during the monsoon season, including for the supervision of temporary evacuation centres.