[UPDATED] 1,000 MAF members deployed to Klang Valley hospitals: Ismail Sabri

KLANG – A total of 1,000 members of the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) will be deployed to hospitals in the Klang Valley to assist health workers in handling Covid-19-related cases.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said their service is needed, among others, to help ferry oxygen tanks to patients.

“It requires manpower and MAF is providing 1,000 personnel to help Klang Valley hospitals, including 90 staff at Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital (HTAR) here.

“Each tank provides oxygen for eight hours, so after it has run out of gas, we want to continue with the new tank immediately, we do not want any delay as it can endanger patients,” he said.

Earlier, Ismail Sabri, who is also defence minister, was briefed on the operation and treatment statuses of Covid-19 patients and non-Covid-19 patients at HTAR.

Ismail Sabri said this is among matters that will be tackled, including the procurement of medicines and medical equipment.

“So if bureaucracy can be reduced, reduce it, because this can be considered an emergency case. Otherwise, it will take time… I will discuss this with the Finance Ministry,” he added.

Apart from that, he said, some form of incentive will be given for the use of ambulance vans, like those provided by the Malaysian Red Crescent Society and St John.

“Now, they are helping us voluntarily. Perhaps, we can discuss, if there is an allocation, to provide them with them some kind of token for helping fetch patients from their homes,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ismail Sabri said HTAR had provided 578 additional beds, including 100 beds at the field hospital, to accommodate the increase in Covid-19 patients.

“As of today, the hospital has 1,264 beds – 900 for Covid-19 patients and the remaining for non-Covid-19 patients,” he said. – Bernama, August 8, 2021