Government to fast track introduction of Good Samaritan Act

THE HEALTH Ministry plans to fast-track the introduction of the Good Samaritan Act to protect individuals who assist others in emergency situations from legal consequences. 

This legislation represents the health authorities' efforts to have at least 20% of the population skilled in basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as it can save lives, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.

Norway leads the world in this sense where 98% of its population knows basic CPR.

He was speaking after launching the 1st Malaysian Community First Responder conference at the Marriott Hotel in Gurney Drive, George Town.

"I hope to table the Act at the next cabinet meeting and then we will liaise with all authorities to come up with the best legal framework," he said.

The legislation can protect responders from undue legal action when they desperately try to administer medical aid to those in need.

According to Dzulkefly, the rate of Malaysians who are skilled in basic CPR is at a negligible level and this has translated to the disastrous outcome of trying to save lives of persons who collapsed in public.

Less than one per cent of people who collapsed in public survived the ordeal.

Dzulkefly said that each person with their hands can save lives and it starts with acquiring the skills of CPR.

As for the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) medical devices, Dzulkefly said that Penang leads the country with 1,000 of it deployed throughout 300 public areas and in the private sector as well as among the non-governmental organisations.

An AED is a device that can help save lives during cardiac arrest by analysing a person's heart rhythm and delivering an electric shock if needed.

Since it was deployed in Penang in 2015, 16 lives including veteran DAP leader Datuk Seri Phee Boon Poh have been saved.

The importance of having AED and personnel trained to do it, is of paramount importance in saving lives in public, said Dzulkefly.

He added that the AED is relatively easy to use and the person just needs to follow the instructions.

AEDs are placed in areas where there is high foot traffic and in some instances where there is high road usage.

Dzulkefly also disclosed that he is awaiting incident reports of what transpired in a private hospital after the organisation allegedly withheld the body of an infant boy for two weeks, demanding that his parents settle an RM3,600 bill before allowing the remains to be buried.

He expects the report to be out by next week and he will study the details before commenting further on the tragedy.

He extended his condolences to the family over this matter, saying that the ministry wants value-added healthcare services and quality to be the central point in both public and private clinics as well as hospitals. - December 15, 2024.