KUCHING: The situation at the Indoor Stadium vaccination centre has been sorted out, is organised and according to the standard operating procedure (SOP).
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas was happy and pleased to see the vaccination centre at the stadium run smoothly and in a systematic manner.
“The first few days were really big headache and I got a message from Khairy Jamaluddin (National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme coordinating minister) that our place was jammed and there were no social distancing.
“We decided to improve and we have done it. I am very happy to see the situation here now,” he said to reporters while visiting the vaccination centre today (May 20).
Uggah, who is also the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chairman, said that the improved and systematic module would make it easier for the public to come for vaccination and avoid congestion.
He added that the module would be used at other vaccination centres throughout the state for smooth and sufficient operation.
“For Kuching, we currently have two centres, which are here at the stadium and at Sarawak General Hospital. We will establish more vaccination centres to get people vaccinated,” he said.
Uggah added that the capacity in the stadium would be increased to enable more people to get vaccinated.
“The capacity at the stadium now is at 1,600 and we want to push to 2,500.
“Our operating hour now is up to 5pm, but when more vaccines come, we will extend the operating time so that we can give opportunities to more people to get the vaccines.
“With the current orderly situation here, we hope that what had happened few days ago will not happen again,” he said, alluding to the viral issues of alleged queue jumping at the centre by certain VIPs.
Regarding the use of Astra-Zeneca vaccine, Uggah said it was voluntary and on ‘first come, first serve’ basis.
“They will have a separate vaccination centre and it will be managed by another group because it is not our national vaccine,” he said.
