To get MC, Malaysian youth lies he was exposed to coronavirus

With the coronavirus spreading rapidly around the world, it is important for us to practise social responsibility.

However, there are people who have caused unnecessary panic, and in this case, all for a medical certificate (MC) at work.

In a Facebook post on March 17, a doctor in Kelantan, Malaysia, shared that a patient at his clinic initially declared that he had not travelled or had contact with any Covid-19 patients.

[embed]https://www.facebook.com/amirul.azhar.773/posts/3095132583838276[/embed]

After a doctor assessed the youth's symptoms and cleared him of the coronavirus, the patient changed his statement and said that a friend has tested positive for the virus.

What followed was alarm and panic in the clinic, where nurses and doctors rushed to isolate the youth.

Amirul Azhar, who was on duty at the isolation ward that day, was called to suit up in personal protective equipment (PPE).

He wrote: "It's really difficult to put on the gear to cover from head to toe. But when I was done, I went to the isolation room and the patient wasn't there!"

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Staff searched for half an hour, before notifying the village head to help locate the patient, fearing that the whole town was at risk.

However, five minutes before the clinic closed, Amirul stated, the youth returned with his father.

Amirul had to suit up in PPE again, which took at least 15 minutes. He then questioned the patient, eventually finding out he had lied.

The youth told Amirul that his intention was to get an MC, revealing that he did not have any friends who contracted the virus.

"I immediately put my pen down. My hands were shaking with the feeling of punching that kid", said Amirul. "Burdening others, wasting their time and two precious PPEs."

Facebook users have voiced out on the original post, which has garnered 19,000 shares and 5,100 comments to date.

In these nervy times, we should behave responsibly, do our part to curb the coronavirus outbreak, and reduce the strain on frontline healthcare workers.

trining@asiaone.com