WITH the aim of increasing the coverage of automated external defibrillator (AED) in the state, the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) George Town has taken the initiative to kick start the ‘Heart Saver Penang’ project.
CERT George Town chairman Ong Swee Jin said the project’s objective is also to increase the survival rate of cardiac arrest cases.
“Through this initiative, a total of six vehicles are equipped with AED to provide better coverage for such cases, especially in the areas that do not have any nearby AED.
“So, we want to provide the earliest intervention and help for individuals suffering from cardiac arrest.
“The AED devices are carried by our trained partners. If any emergency happens nearby, one of these six vehicles will be mobilised to help the victims.
“Currently, we have six units of AED available to run this project that involved four cars and two motorcycles.
“We also intend to increase it to 20 units of AED for this project soon.
“At the same time, we also encourage any individuals that have their own AED to come and join us and work together to widen the support to the community and save more lives,” Ong said in his speech during a launching ceremony at Desa Permata Basketball Court in Paya Terubong yesterday (April 2).
Also present were state Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin, who is also the Paya Terubong assemblyman, Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen and Penang Heart Safe Society (PHSS) chairman Datuk Dr Luah Lean Wah.
Yeoh also commended CERT George Town for such an initiative.
“Currently, there are 160 AEDs already installed in Penang, but the figure is definitely more as others installed by companies or some establishments are not listed.
“On behalf of the Penang government, we are always committed to installing more AEDs in the state through a public-private partnership.
“This is important to create a harmonious and safer environment for the people of Penang,” he said.
Story and pix by Riadz Akmal