GEORGE TOWN – Penang is prepared for any eventuality in view of the state’s Covid-19 surge, said Penang Hospital Forensic Department head Datuk Dr Zahari Noor.
He said deaths can easily spike from 100 to 1,000 and medical facilities must be ready to handle this.
“We have to learn from the situation in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, where health authorities braced themselves for any eventuality.
“In Penang, we have the capacity to store a maximum of 200 bodies at all five government hospitals in the state.
“The freezer container currently at Kepala Batas Hospital is able to store a maximum of 50 bodies, and the freezer donated by One Hope today can help store another 50,” he said after the donation by non-government organisation One Hope Charity and Welfare.
Present was Penang Hospital director Datuk Dr Teo Gim Sian, and One Hope chairman Datuk Chua Sui Hau and adviser Datuk Seri R. Arunasalam.
“Storage is important as the logistics in handling bodies must be handled delicately to avoid problems in relation to the remains’ burial or cremation,” said Dr Zahari.
If the pandemic situation improves, he said, the freezer can be given to another hospital that needs it.
Chua said One Hope wants to reduce the burden on frontliners at government hospitals.
He handed over two beds equipped with devices for use in Penang Hospital’s cardiology intensive care ward.
The NGO earlier helped set up Covid-19 low-risk care centres at the Balik Pulau Sports Complex and Mara Skills Training Centre in Jawi, Nibong Tebal, and spent RM2 million to set up a vaccination centre at Juru’s Auto City.
It has spent RM11.4 million providing food to the underprivileged, as well as masks and medical equipment to state health facilities. – The Vibes, August 27, 2021
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