WITH the recent increase in the number of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) cases, all childcare centres and kindergartens have stepped up efforts to conduct checks on the children.

I was pleased to learn that the enrichment centre which my child goes to has taken the effort to wash and sterilise the children's hands as well as having their temperatures taken.

However, on Wednesday, I saw a staff member at the centre taking the temperature of my son without changing the lens filter of the digital thermometer.

She only wiped the lens filter with an alcohol swab and then went on to take the next child's temperature.

I asked her to use a new lens filter for my son, but she said that the centre had run out of unused lens filters and that it had placed an order for new ones.

She also told me that the doctors said that it was okay to use the alcohol swabs to clean the lens filter before using it on the next child.

Can the relevant authorities allay my fears and worries by confirming that such a practice will not expose the children to infection?

I am worried because instructions on the lens filter's packaging say that 'To assure accuracy and sanitary practice, change lens filter after each use'.

Ms Fong Wai Chooi

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