Covid-19 aid to Sabah, already on its way

Sabah will get more resources to assist its healthcare system, which was strained by the Covid-19 outbreak, according to Khairy Jamaluddin.

The health minister said that the extra supplies are part of the federal government’s plan to assist the state in dealing with the high number of Covid 19 cases and catching up to the national immunization rate.

He added that there will be two major changes: an increase in vaccine supply and an increase in medical assets and personnel to treat patients as effectively as feasible.

According to him, they will begin bringing supplies in, including 480 oxygen cylinders, 24 boxes of oxygen regulators, and five boxes of Covid medication.

He was addressing the media after a meeting at the state administrative office with the state’s special committee on Covid-19.

To assist with patient treatment, modular intensive care units with a capacity of ten beds will be brought in and installed at a field hospital in Tawau, with construction scheduled to begin at the end of September.

Additionally, the Health Ministry will assign 29 new ambulances to hospitals across Sabah and rent extra units until they arrive.

To support frontline workers, personnel would be transferred to the state, including the return of 97 of the 150 newly recruited contract physicians, 78 medical assistants from Selangor, and 50 medical officers given permanent jobs.

“The federal government also pledged to provide 2.89 million vaccine doses to Sabah.

“We are certain we can reach 70,000 doses per day with this. “We are still on track to inoculate 60% of registered adults by September and 80% by October,” he added.

The government would conduct 130 mobile outreach programs in rural regions in the next two months to decrease dependence on immunization centers, he added.

He also mentioned that they are supposed to receive 300,000 additional single-dose CanSino vaccines this month, but there is a global shortage. He also expressed his hopes to receive more doses next month and then send more to Sabah.

Khairy is in Sabah for two days to evaluate the Covid-19 situation. Sabah has the lowest vaccination rates and the greatest number of cases.

Despite allegations of overcrowded ICUs and ERs, shortage of ventilators, and irregular vaccination supplies, Khairy claimed the state has 90% ICU capacity and 46% ventilator usage.

He stated Sabah has 27 Covid-19 hospitals with 151 Covid-19 ICU beds and 1,743 other beds. These facilities have a combined capacity of 7,143 beds. The state has 224 immunization centers with a daily capacity of 83,140 vaccinations