THE Penang government today commended the Federal Government for its delivery of 43,120 doses of Covid-19 vaccine (Sinovac) to further accelerate the vaccination process.
It was learnt that the doses delivered today were part of the 200,000 doses as assured by the Federal Government to the state recently.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who witnessed the handover of 3,200 doses (Sinovac) to the Bayan Baru Health Clinic, hoped that the Covid-19 vaccination centres (PPVs) in the state would operate more efficiently to speed up the inoculation rate.
“There is no doubt that the people living in Penang must be vaccinated as soon as possible because as mentioned previously, this is one of the most important forms of protection in the fight against the virus.
“We hope to achieve 100% of the adult population to be inoculated with one dose as soon as possible and then focus on hitting the same target for dose two.
“On behalf of the state government, I would like to extend my appreciation to the Ministry of Health for expediting the delivery of vaccines to Penang as promised,” Chow said during a brief press conference at the Bayan Baru Health Clinic today.
Meanwhile, Penang health deputy director (public health) Dr Rafidah Md Noor said there are currently 17 Covid-19 Vaccine Storage Centres (PSVs) designated for Sinovac only, and Bayan Baru Health Clinic is one of them.
“The vaccines stored here will be delivered to PPVs within the southwest district on the island.
“We had received 7,200 doses (Sinovac) yesterday for the state. Due to the limited storage capacity in the PSVs, we would be receiving the doses in phases to complete the 200,000-mark,” she told Buletin Mutiara.
Also present during the handover was Penang health director Dr Ma’arof Sudin, who thanked the Federal Government for working hand in hand with the state government over the smooth delivery of the vaccine doses.
“With the supplies coming in now, we hope to increase the vaccine coverage for those here in Penang and by the end of October, let’s keep our fingers of completing 80% coverage for the adult population,” he said.
In a related development, state Agrotech and Food Security, Rural Development and Health Committee chairman Dr Norlela Ariffin, said that since the Covid-19 emergency care line was set up last month, it has received 145 calls (127 on the island and 18 on the mainland) from Covid-19 patients who were quarantined at home.
“We have so far sent 64 high-risk transport vehicles and 17 ambulances, as well emergency physicians to conduct assessments on patients with the need for immediate attention.
“This is to support the state Health Department to speed up the response time and reduce the number of deaths of patients under category one and two,” she said.
Norlela also mentioned that she had proposed to the National Covid-19 Immunisation Special Task Force (CITF) to provide Penang with more medical and non-medical personnel to support the healthcare line in the state.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Chan Kok Kuan