THE Penang Island City Council (MBPP) is moving forward with its efforts to ensure that the automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are installed in public places under its jurisdiction, says its mayor Datuk A. Rajendran.
Rajendran said that providing emergency aid with an AED to a collapsed victim increases the chances of survival compared to those who do not receive help at a critical time.
“As public awareness has increased regarding the capabilities of AEDs, the council, through the Pearl One Touch Penang super-app, has uploaded information and the locations of the AEDs.
“This is to make it easy to track the nearest public access AED.
“However, installation of the AED will only be fully functional if our society is equipped with the knowledge to use it,” he added.
Rajendran said this when he attended the launching ceremony of the Malaysia Association of Hotels (MAH Penang chapter) AED and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) workshop at The Wembley – A St Giles Hotel today.
The MAH Penang chapter conducted the AED and CPR for its members to be prepared in the event of emergencies at their respective hotels.
Rajendran commended the association’s initiative to organise the programme as it will not only benefit the visitors but the local community as well.
He also shared that, from 2015 to 2022, MBPP had installed a total of 21 units of AEDs in high-traffic public places like community halls and markets.
“This year, the council will instal an additional 48 AEDs in public spaces under the jurisdiction of MBPP, and the installation is expected to be completed by December.
“For next year, the council has allocated RM54,000 to instal a total of nine units of AEDs. With this allocation, each MBPP premises will have at least one AED installed.
“We also have started to provide training on AED and CPR for MBPP staff,” Rajendran said while adding that MBPP’s patrolling unit is also equipped with the AEDs.
Apart from that, the council has also made a requirement for new stratified projects whether residential or commercial to be installed with at least one AED.
“So far, at least 32 AEDs have been installed at the new projects,” he said.
According to Rajendran, the council is also planning to set up a special unit for the maintenance of those AEDs installed to ensure that they are functional in times of emergencies.
“It is not enough to just instal the AED, maintenance is also important to ensure that they are functional during an emergency.
“So, far based on the information shared by Penang Heart Safe Society (PHSS) chairman Datuk Dr Luah Lean Wah, a total of 12 lives were saved using the public access AEDs,” Rajendran added.
Meanwhile, Tony Goh, the MAH Penang Chapter chairman, thanked Rajendran and the MBPP for their continuous support and assistance.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad