On a mission to enhance the healthcare system in Penang, the Buddhist Tzu-Chi Merits Society Malaysia (Penang) has come forward to supply medical equipment to the Penang Hospital.
Its commissioner Khoo Boo Leong together with his team handed over two syringe pumps, one ventilator unit as well as a patient monitor unit during their visit to the hospital today.
“We know that the government hospitals in Penang are overwhelmed with the increase in the number of Covid-19 patients, thus we wanted to attend to the needs of the healthcare system through our contribution.
“The medical equipment that we have donated would cater to the intensive care unit (ICU) and the high dependency ward at the hospital.
“Every phase of the pandemic requires different types of assistance. Previously there was a need for the supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) but now the hospitals need more medical equipment,’’ said Khoo after handing over the contribution to the hospital.
Khoo said that the Penang Tzu Chi has been continuously providing assistance to the medical facilities and frontliners as well as being actively involved in various community-based activities ever since the emergence of the pandemic in March last year.
“Last year in April, we also worked together with the state government to set up shelter for the homeless for a duration of three months at the Caring Society Complex. We had also helped to set up the quarantine centres at the Caring Society Complex and also in Jawi.
“Apart from that, our organisation had supplied PPEs, 500 multi-purpose foldable beds, mattresses, , pillows, blankets and food to the Penang Remand Prison,’’ said Khoo adding that Penang Tzu Chi has given emergency aids to a total of 38,028 individuals.
Meanwhile, Dr Chow Ting Soo from the Penang Hospital (Head of Infection Control Unit) thanked Penang Tzu-Chi for their prompt help.
“On behalf of the hospital I would like to thank the organisation for the continuous help rendered to us. Our frontliners are tirelessly working to treat our patients and this is definitely a morale booster for us.
“We also would like to convey our gratitude to Penang Tzu Chi for daily providing vegetarian lunch meals for our frontliners,” Dr Chow said.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix courtesy of Penang Tzu Chi