KUCHING: The Malaysian Buddhist Association (MBA) Sarawak has donated three units of high quality humidifiers to Sarawak General Hospital (SGH).
The AIRVO 2 humidifiers are for the treatment of spontaneously breathing patients who will benefit from receiving high flow warmed and humidified respiratory gases.
Developed by New Zealand’s Fisher & Paykel Healthcare company, the humidifier costs about RM25,000 per unit.
MBA Sarawak president Datuk Seri Tay Chin Kin personally donated another unit of humidifier to Sibu Hospital.
Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian was present to witness the handing over of the humidifiers from Tay to SGH director Dr Ngian Hie Ung at SGH today.
In conveying his gratitude to the association, Dr Sim said such generous contributions would serve as an inspiration, encouragement and acknowledgement for all the medical frontliners who had tirelessly been fighting Covid-19.
“Two weeks ago, the Sarawak government also approved the purchase of 10 units of similar humidifier machines. This is how we come together to help.
“Because even though health is under the federal list, this means that the federal government should pay for the medical supplies but Sarawakian lives are at stake.
“So it does not matter whether the funding comes from the federal, state or the non-governmental organisations. We all have the same purpose, which is to save as many Sarawakians’ lives as possible,” he said.
He said that it is why it is important for everybody to remain united to overcome this pandemic together and to do away with any politicking.
“Politicking will not save lives. Actions like this (with everyone coming in to help as much as they can) will save lives,” he said.
Dr Sim also thanked institutions such as Universiti Malaysia Sarawak and Kozi Square commercial centre here for offering their premises to serve as Covid-19 vaccination centres, thus expediting the vaccination process.
“As I have mentioned, more batches of the vaccines will be arriving in the state starting this month, and more will also start to receive their vaccination appointments and get the first dose of the vaccine very soon.
“With the rolling out of the vaccines and people stepping up to help, I believe that by August, Sarawak will be the first state to complete the vaccination programme,” he said.
Dr Sim also reminded everybody to continue observing the standard operating procedures.
“While we are getting the vaccines, we must avoid gathering for the time being. Virus doesn’t move. If nobody gets together, the virus will just die,” said Dr Sim.
Among those present were Malaysian Medical Council Sarawak representative Dr Kalwinder Singh Khaira and Sarawak United People’s Party Kuching Branch youth assistant publicity chief Eric Tay Tze Kok.
