KOTA KINABALU – Although there has been a Covid-19 surge in Sabah, the state government is not seen to be making much effort to deal with the crisis, said Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.
“This situation can only be described as alarming and appalling, more so, when Sabah’s vaccination rate continues to languish at the bottom rung, with only 51.8% (of the population) having received the first dose compared with the national average of more than 75%,” said the Warisan president in a statement today.
The state today logged 3,010 new infections, and yesterday, 3,487. The average weekly increment of its infection rate is 266%.
Shafie said the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) state government continues to say the situation is under control even as more children – including babies – contract the virus.
“As the government of the day, there appears to be no effort made to seek every way possible to get vaccines to the people of Sabah. Not a word or even a whimper from them to compel the federal government to expedite the delivery of vaccines to the state.
“Any responsible and caring government would do its utmost to ensure Sabahans are protected from this virulent virus instead of having to live in constant fear of being infected.”
He said senior citizens also have limited access to ventilators, as younger patients with a higher survival rate are prioritised.
Hospitals are stretched to their breaking point and suffering a shortage of beds to treat Covid-19 patients, he said.
“Surely, the government can afford to buy more machines to save lives.
“I understand Queen Elizabeth Hospital I has placed extra beds in its operating theatres, and even then, there is still a long waiting list of patients.
“There are some critical patients requiring oxygen who are on beds placed in the hospital’s tunnel area while waiting to enter the ICU.”
Shafie said the state government can open more treatment centres, including at the Lok Kawi army camp and Sepanggar naval base.
There is more than enough space at these two locations to set up makeshift hospitals, and they have their own doctors who can assist, he said.
“Why is GRS not considering setting up these centres? Why are they not taking action on this? It’s sad, very sad. Sabahans don’t deserve this. Nobody does.
“GRS must decide once and for all whether the lives of the people of Sabah deserve to come first.” – The Vibes, August 27, 2021
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