Macau's anti-epidemic focus shifts from epidemic prevention to medical treatment

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The President of the MSAR Medical Council, Mr. Ie Long Lo, said recently at the fifth plenary session of the Council that by adjusting the epidemic prevention policies and measures, the focus of work has shifted from epidemic prevention to medical treatment, mobilizing community medical resources to the greatest extent possible, with Macau’s major hospitals, medical institutions and the medical profession working hand in hand to provide medical services to residents and protect their lives and physical health.

In the past three years, Macau has been carrying out the prevention and control of the epidemic with the goal of dynamic zero, successfully resisting the impact of the more pathogenic original and Delta mutant strains of the New Coronavirus, and over 90% of residents have been vaccinated against the New Coronavirus, which has improved the protection of residents. Currently, the conditions are in place to follow the country in adopting an alternative response model in the face of the less pathogenic strain of Omicron virus. “The current outbreak started with imported cases on November 28 and officially entered the transitional period of outbreak prevention and control on December 8. The spread of the virus in the community is an objective reality and the medical industry must change its thinking and mode of action.” Luo Yilong emphasized.

Currently, through a triage and tiered management system for infected patients, combined with measures such as distribution of anti-epidemic kits and the establishment of community clinics and support hotlines for infected patients, the vast majority of mildly ill and asymptomatic infected patients have been successfully isolated at home. On the one hand, infected patients are treated in a more comfortable environment, and on the other hand, a large number of infected patients are prevented from visiting hospitals. Some of the infected patients who need hospitalization are arranged to receive treatment in isolation treatment facilities, which are still being used at a healthy rate.

“In the coming period, it is expected that the number of infected patients with medical needs will further increase and there will be serious and fatal cases.” Erik Lo noted that healthcare facilities must be well prepared and have a plan in place to avoid simultaneous infection of a large number of healthcare workers, avoid transmission of the virus within healthcare facilities, protect non-neoconvicted patients attending and hospitalized, and provide urgent and necessary medical care for those infected with neoconviruses.

It was reported that the meeting focused on the response plan for the transition period of epidemic prevention and control and the revised version of the “Regulations for Participation in Continuing Professional Development Activities” for medical personnel. Representatives from 40 medical groups were also specially invited to attend the meeting to collect opinions from members and industry representatives while fully mobilizing the strength of community medical personnel to maintain the normal operation of Macau’s healthcare system.