JOHOR BARU – Johor has allocated RM40 million for the purchase of Covid-19 vaccines, says Menteri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad.
He said this allocation under the Johor Ihsan Economic Stimulus Package 3.0 had been earlier proposed with the cooperation of Kumpulan Perubatan Johor (KPJ).
“The initiative will enable KPJ to sell the vaccine to those needing it. In total, the state government has allocated RM75 million to implement four initiatives to boost management of the pandemic, including the purchase of vaccines."
He said this when announcing the package through his official Facebook page and Makmur Johor Facebook page today.
Hasni said the state government will also purchase 190,000 RTS-antigen test kits to support targeted screening efforts, with the initiative to be carried out with the Management Services Division of the State Secretary’s Office and Johor Health Department.
The targeted screening is also supported by the Johor Baru City Council (MBJB), Iskandar Puteri City Council (MBIP) and Pasir Gudang City Council (MBPG), which will buy the test kits to benefit almost 60,000 people.
Meanwhile, RM20 million will be used to fund the operations of vaccine centres (PPVs) and roadblocks, and for the welfare of frontliners, covering their allowances and provision of food and equipment, which will continue until December.
Hasni said the state government will also set up a Johor Covid-19 advisory committee to study post-pandemic challenges.
He said the committee will be headed by former dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Prof Datuk Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman, who is also adjunct professor of Yale University in the United States.
“This committee will further strengthen the state government’s actions and managing of the pandemic using science, technology and data, which we believe are the main ingredients in ensuring effectiveness of the fight against Covid-19,” he added.
Hasni had earlier announced an allocation of RM241 million for the stimulus package, the biggest allocation ever by the state government to help those affected by the pandemic.
Previously, the state government had implemented the Ihsan Johor Economic Stimulus Package 1.0 with an allocation of RM167.33 million and then the 2.0 package involving an allocation of RM109.48 million. – Bernama, June 10, 2021
