Amidst the disheartening state of the continuation of MCO—now known as Phase one of National Recovery Plan—and the bittersweet fact of how Malaysians are encouraging each other as well as offering help in various ways (read about the #BenderaPutih campaign here) comes an unexpected piece of news on Wednesday (June 30) morning.
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has been admitted to the hospital due to a case of diarrhoea that he’s been suffering from since Tuesday (June 29). The Prime Minister’s Office also released a statement, saying, “He was admitted to a hospital in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday for treatment and observation.”
TERKINI: #PerdanaMenteri mengalami diarea sejak semalam dan telah didaftar ke hospital sejak pagi tadi. pic.twitter.com/Ibv5VdpxRd
— TheMalaysianInsight (@msianinsight) June 30, 2021
Due to the Prime Minister’s hospitalisation, the weekly Cabinet meeting has been cancelled as confirmed by his aide. Meanwhile, the hashtag #PMCirit started trending, and even made it to international news. Perhaps it’s a slow news day but getting diarrhoea is clearly something many of us can relate to, especially if it strikes on a working/school day. Below are some of the best reactions on the Twitterverse in response to the #PMCirit hashtag.
1. The go-to cure
Get well soon #PMcirit pic.twitter.com/8y0c5aYHtL
— ally (@officialllly) June 30, 2021
2. K-pop, meet C-irit
So besides kpop, our prime minister’s bowel movement is also trending#KerajaanCirit #KerajaanGagal #PMCirit pic.twitter.com/cC8Ih3U4BX
— Shakir (@ShakirAmeer) June 30, 2021
3. Hear, hear!
When our PM has a diarrhea and got a day off and tell the whole damn world. We as women surely got to have a day off for period pain shouldn’t we? #PMCirit
— KIKI ALLAN (@vnt_shkra) June 30, 2021
4. Is that what some people hear in those Blackpink lyrics?
#PMCirit Peluang keemasan untuk kami belajar perkataan baru pic.twitter.com/X3tOJ6nigt
— MGAG (@My_MGAG) June 30, 2021
5. Everyone’s first reaction
Open twitter to see #PMCirit trending pic.twitter.com/VRy7wve3CV
— Joon (@wildanonymous_) June 30, 2021
6. That’s a smooth pun
Parliament is closed, but PM can still pass motion. #PMCirit
— Jacqueline Siaw (@jay_qua_lin) June 30, 2021
7. Cos mothers know best
Dei. My amma made me go to school when I had diarrhea la. But you senang je masuk hospital. #PMCirit https://t.co/E3MtRTMaGI
— Subash Sivanaesvaran (@SubashSivanaes) June 30, 2021
8. Our condolences
I was forced to take PJK exam when I had diarrhoea in form 1. That subject is not even important
— Claudia_lee (@leeeeeee29) June 30, 2021
9. Is there nothing else more important to report on?
Must be a slow news day because #PMCirit has made international headlines hahahahhahha pic.twitter.com/n2rx2tTYIe
— Joanna Noelle Ambrose (@noellejoanna) June 30, 2021
10. Learning something new every day
Saya ada soalan.Diarea (diarrhea) pun dah jadi Bahasa Melayu ke?
— E • F • F • I • E (@effie_mohamad) June 30, 2021
11. On a more serious note…
Well, was the diarrhoea a sign that something is making a comeback?#PMCirit pic.twitter.com/ql7cnaHLxN
— FIR (@fdajesfry) June 30, 2021
In all seriousness, the tweet above is true: there is a link between diarrhoea and pancreatic diseases. However, Prime Minister Muhyiddin was “declared free of cancer in June [2020] after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2018”, according to Today. He has also shared his journey as a cancer survivor in conjunction with World Cancer Day earlier this year. Perhaps it was stress or something he ate. According to Medical News Today, most cases of “diarrhoea are due to an infection in the gastrointestinal tract.”
Regardless, we hope for his speedy recovery.
What to do if you have diarrhoea
- Drink lots of water as diarrhoea can cause dehydration. Liquids with water, salt and/or sugar are ideal
- As soon as you’re able to, eat solid foods but avoid fatty or spicy dishes. Salty foods are recommended
- Take antidiarrhoeal medicines, if needed. However, do not take it if your stools has blood or mucus—or if you’re running a high temperature/fever
When to get hospital treatment for diarrhoea
According to NHS inform, “hospital treatment may be needed if you or your child are seriously dehydrated. Treatment will involve administering fluids and nutrients directly into a vein (intravenously).” In addition, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases says that “Older adults and adults with weakened immune systems or other health conditions who have diarrhoea should also see a doctor right away”.
MORE: What is the #BenderaPutih campaign and how can you help fellow Malaysians in need
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