MIRI: The Taiwan Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation here has helped to set up an additional 85 beds at the Eastwood Valley Golf and Country Club here yesterday (May 13).
The club temporarily serves as a Quarantine and Treatment Centre for Covid-19 patients (PKRC).
Minister in charge of Miri Division Disaster Management Committee (DDMC) Datuk Lee Kim Shin expressed gratitude to the club, saying the society has provided 85 foldable beds, pillows and mattresses.
“Earlier on, the society has also set up 60 beds at the same location. In total, they have set up 145 beds,” he said after visiting the Eastwood Valley Golf and Country Club.
He added that the management of Eastwood Valley Golf and Country Club has also set up several new rooms to accommodate another 24 beds, with altogether, another 109 new beds having been added.
“In total, Eastwood Valley Golf and Country Club can now accommodate 472 patients,” he said.
Yesterday, he said the Malaysia Civil Defence Force (APM) also helped to supply 15 cubicle tents and put them up at one of the Eastwood Valley Golf and Country Club’s halls.
“Two beds with mattresses, pillows and blankets can be set up in one tent, and these tents will provide some privacy to those who are receiving treatments in the halls. Altogether, there are 75 tents in the premises,” he said.
Lee said currently the Miri Hospital plus the six PKRC in Miri, have a total capacity of 1,152 beds.
“In view of the recent surge of Covid-19 positive cases, there is an urgent need to increase the number of beds to accommodate the patients. Presently, about 1,100 beds have been used up. Hence the urgency to have standby additional beds in case of another sudden surge in number of patients.
“As such, with the additional 109 beds, the total capacity will be increased from 1,152 to 1,261 beds,” he said.
The Senadin assemblyman said that the purpose of adding more beds is to be prepared should there be an increase in the number of positive cases, including those from the rural areas, villages and longhouses from other districts in Miri Division, such as Beluru, Subis, Telang Usan and Marudi.
Also present at the setting of additional beds with Lee were Miri Hospital director Dr Jack Wong, doctor in charge of the PKRC Dr Grace Lee, volunteers from Taiwan Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation Miri Councillor Kueh Chie Tiong and Alex Chung Jih Chyuan who are chief executive officer and executive manager of Eastwood Valley Golf and Country Club respectively.
