AS the number of Covid-19 cases continues to rise in the state, ZOLL Medical Corporation and Avro Medical Malaysia have come forward to donate three units of ZOLL ventilators and 20 sets of CarbonCool vests to the Kepala Batas Hospital today.
Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng, who witnessed the handover ceremony, said he appreciated the prompt assistance rendered to the hospital which would help to enhance its healthcare system.
“I truly appreciate this timely and meaningful contribution by ZOLL Medical Corporation and Avro Medical Malaysia for our frontliners to continue with the fight.
“Our medical professionals, frontliners and volunteers are exhausted but definitely not out in this battle.
“The state government will continue to ensure that we are adequately equipped to keep fighting.
“No lives would be lost in vain while all sectors, parties and individuals work together as one to totally eradicate this pandemic,’’ said Teh, who represented Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow for the handover ceremony.
Chow was forced to cancel his programmes today and home quarantined himself after learning that his bodyguard was tested Covid-19 positive.
Alongside with the Kepala Batas Hospital, the Red Crescent Society as well as the St John Ambulance also received a unit of ZOLL ventilator each.
Teh also conveyed his heartfelt thanks to the frontliners from the state Health Department, Red Crescent Society and St John Ambulance volunteers for their tireless quest against the pandemic.
“With the cooperation shown by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) such as the Red Crescent Society and St John Ambulance towards our public health system, I can say no matter how tough the situation gets, we shall have the means to pull through and to see better days ahead,’’ added Teh.
The Kepala Batas Hospital was represented by its director Dr Norhasimawati Abdul Mutalib and Dr Suhaida Hanis Johani, the head of Emergency and Trauma Department.
Also present were ZOLL Medical Asia Pacific vice-president Christopher Barnabas, Avro Medical Malaysia managing director Jakly Cox and state Health Department deputy director Dr Nur Aslina Bahakodin, who represented its director Datuk Dr Asmayani Khalib Jusa.
Red Crescent Society chairman (island district) Rayson Khoo and St John Ambulance Malaysia (Penang) deputy state commander Dr Laurence Tan represented their respective organisations at the ceremony.
Meanhwhile, Barnabas said the CarbonCool vest is designed for the treatment and prevention of heatstroke or heat-related injuries.
“It is not an easy thing to be able to work long hours wearing the personal protective equipment (PPEs), thus the vest would be helpful to our healthcare frontliners to keep their body cool while wearing them,’’ he said.
Story & Pix Tanushalini Moroter