GEORGE TOWN – The Penang government has called on MPs and assemblymen to implement an existing basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) education programme with the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs).
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the initiative will see more lives saved, especially in unforeseen circumstances, such as when one suffers health issues when exercising at the park.
The Tanjong MP and Padang Kota rep said about 40% of heart attack cases are due to high cholesterol levels, with stress being among the other factors.
“Since this programme was launched in 2015, a total of 66 AEDs have been installed in selected public places. To date, the devices have helped save four lives.
“(Even so,) do not expect too much of the AEDs, because they will not be installed in every inch of a place. The best step is to adopt a healthy lifestyle, so as to prevent (the risk of a) heart attack,” he said at an AED installation launch at Taman Bukit Dumbar here today.
During the event, Sg Pinang assemblyman Lim Siew Khim contributed RM15,000 for the installation of two new AEDs.
It is understood that one unit will be installed at the park, and the other handed over to the Civil Defence Emergency Response Team under the Kg Sg Pinang Community Management Council.
On Tuesday, Jimmy Fong, a Penang evergreen folk artiste whose younger brother collapsed and died on the Botanical Gardens hiking trail, suggested that emergency responders be stationed at the base of the trail, given the cases of visitors falling ill or requiring first aid there.
It will serve hikers well to have such personnel there to promptly administer CPR or other treatment, he said.
Jimmy’s brother, businessman Datuk David Fong, 58, collapsed about 6.30pm last Sunday.
Rescuers, who made their way up the trail about an hour later, were unable to resuscitate him. – The Vibes, April 17, 2021
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