In response to the shortages of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at hospitals In Malaysia, MERCY Malaysia has presented 10,000 PPE to the Ministry of Health!
The PPEs were handed over by President of MERCY Malaysia Dato‘ Dr Ahmad Faizal Perdaus to MOH’s Secretary-General YBhg. Dato' Seri Dr. Chen Chaw at Putrajaya on April 29.
Photo:MERCY Malaysia
To date, MERCY Malaysia has spent almost RM20 million on the total COVID-19 response, with the biggest spending on hospital equipment and PPEs for frontliners. With RM4.9 million spent on isolation gowns, aprons, face shields, shoe covers, head covers, gloves and face masks, another RM7.5 million went into the purchase of ventilators, PAPR, ICU equipment, intubation boxes, RT-PCR tests, thermometers and sanitisers.
Photo:MERCY Malaysia
“The effects of the Movement Control Order is now becoming apparent, with a marked reduction in the number of new cases of Covid-19 from three to two digits. More locations have also moved from being red zone to yellow zone, while more areas are now being marked as green zone,“ says Dr Ahmad Faizal, who also heads the Pandemic Preparedness Cluster of the National Disaster Management Agency, NADMA.
While the donation may temporarily assist in the shortage of PPEs in Malaysia, Dr Ahmad Faizal warned that the battle against the pandemic is far from over.
“The healthcare system still needs to be on high alert for at least the next 10 to 12 months. As such, hospitals and clinics will continue to need PPE to protect frontliners from potential COVID-19 infection.“
Photo:MERCY Malaysia
“In the long run, we need to continue educating the public on cleanliness and good hygiene practices such as handwashing, physical distancing and safe drinking water,” he added.
“MERCY Malaysia is also supporting the government’s efforts to stop the spread of Covid-19 by screening high-risk clusters particularly among marginalised communities such as refugees and migrants,” said Faizal.
You can donate to MERCY Humanitarian Fund (MBB 5621 7950 4126)
By: Siti Farhana Sheikh Yahya
