Penang appeals federal govt for medical manpower as state’s Covid-19 cases continue to rise

GEORGE TOWN – The Penang government is requesting additional human resources from the federal government to help treat the increasing number of Covid-19 patients in the state.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state currently lacks manpower and a smooth vaccination process, causing the state to have steadily recorded high numbers of fresh infections over the past two weeks.

“If there is a lack of hospital equipment, the state government can seek help from other sources.

“But manpower is more important. If there are many beds but no specialists, who is going to manage the patients?

“With the high number of cases in the Klang Valley, the Health Ministry asked states with fewer cases for help and Penang sent a medical team there.

“Maybe after this, the ministry can try to send a medical team from other states to help the states in the northern region, which are currently recording high caseloads,” he said at a press conference at Komtar today.

Also present were state secretary Datuk Abdul Jaafar, state police chief Datuk Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain, and state Deputy Health Director Dr Rafidah Md Noor.

Penang recorded a new high of more than 2,000 cases for the first time on August 24, besides being one of the states to record the highest number of Covid-19 deaths over the past few days.

Chow said he also hopes the Health Ministry can direct private hospitals to increase their treatment capacity for Covid-19 patients.

“Currently, the rate given by the ministry is below 30%. We hope the rate can be increased to reduce the pressure faced by public hospitals.”

Meanwhile, Dr Rafidah said she expects vaccination rates to increase in the third week of September.

She said currently, 24.8% of Covid-19 cases detected are from clusters, 36.5% from close contacts, and 38.7% are sporadic.

“It may take time to decrease case numbers, but vaccines are the only way for us to reduce the people’s risk of needing hospital treatment.

“We expect that by the end of October, 80% of Penangites will be fully vaccinated.” – The Vibes, August 30, 2021