CONCERNED over the health crisis in Penang, several state assemblymen have called on the state government to take its own action to deal with the Covid-19 situation instead of relying on Putrajaya.
Deputy Chief Minister II Prof Dr P. Ramasamy (PH – Prai) and former Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng (PH – Air Putih) said the state government should take steps to tackle the pandemic effectively.
Dr Ramasamy, in replying to M. Satees (PH – Bagan Dalam), said the Emergency used by the previous Federal Government has neither helped the country in the fight against Covid-19 nor Penang to bring down the cases.
Lim said it was worrying for Penang to record a total of 211 deaths in 15 days from Aug 11 to 26 with a high number involving victims who were 50 years old and above.
The worst hit area, Lim said, is the Air Itam constituency which has 21 Covid-19 related deaths to date.
“Some may feel Covid-19 is like a death sentence and worse than prison. Any delay in the vaccination process can result in loss of lives. If the vaccination is expedited, more lives can be saved,” he said.
Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution (PH – Pantai Jerejak) chipped in and said Malaysia was slow in procuring the vaccine and did not have a good support system for Covid-19 patients.
Joseph Ng (PH – Air Itam) suggested that the 20,000 doses of free vaccine donated by the Selangor government to the Penang government be distributed to the constituencies which are carrying out their outreach programmes.
Heng Lee Lee (PH – Berapit) said she would like to see that state set up a 24-hour hotline for people to call or enquire when they have Covid-19 related problems, like what to do when a family member is infected.
A day earlier, Teh Lai Heng (PH – Komtar) had told the assembly that the state government has been doing its best to tackle the Covid-19 issue.
He said Penang, through the initiative of Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, received more supply of vaccines from the federal level than it was supposed to get.
Chow, he added, does not have the same authority as the health minister and prime minister.
In July, he said Penang received 703,448 doses instead of 591,532 doses and in August, Penang received 917,220 doses instead of 707,220 doses.
Other than the vaccines, Teh said the state government has contributed personal protective equipment (PPE) such as face masks, hand gloves, face shields, hand sanitisers and many others to the frontliners.
Through collaboration with non-governmental organisations, Teh said the Penang government has enhanced the healthcare facilities at hospitals.
Aside from that, the state government has helped to set up Covid-19 quarantine centres, vaccination centres and also equipped the police roadblock control post with portable toilets and tents.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad and Darwina Mohd Daud