PENANG is leading in the availability of first responder equipment, particularly through the installation of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in public spaces.
Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad highlighted Penang’s achievement at the first-ever Malaysia Community First Responder Conference, held at the Penang Marriott Hotel on Dec 14.
Dzulkefly lauded Penang for installing a total of 1,000 AEDs at 600 public locations since the launch of the Penang Safe Heart Programme in 2015. The initiative has successfully saved 16 lives to date.
“Penang is leading the charge in making AEDs accessible in public places.
“I would like to stress here that the collaboration between the Health Ministry, health professionals, local authorities, the state government, and most importantly, the public, is crucial.
“Everyone has the potential to help save lives, provided they are trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and have the knowledge to use an AED. We aim to empower every individual with these life-saving skills,” Dzulkefly added.
Dzulkefly also shared that the ministry will work towards the implementation of the Good Samaritan Law (GLS).
“The GSL must be put in place, at least during the 15th Parliamentary session,” he said.
He assured to bring up the matter in this week’s post-Cabinet meeting. The purpose of the law is to reduce hesitation among bystanders by offering legal protection to those who step forward to help in emergencies.
State Youth, Sports, and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi thanked the non-governmental organisations (NGOs), healthcare professionals, and emergency departments of government hospitals in Penang for empowering communities with CPR and AED knowledge.
“They have conducted mass CPR and AED training sessions, equipping thousands with life-saving skills.
“This initiative has fostered a culture of preparedness and compassion, serving as a model for community resilience and collaboration.
“Our vision is to elevate the Penang Heart Safe Programme to a national level initiative, the ‘Malaysia Heart Safe Programme,’ for the benefit of all Malaysians,” Gooi said.
Dr Kwanhathai Darin Wong from Penang Hospital, during her keynote presentation, shared tips to improve cardiac arrest survival rates.
“The Penang government has mandated that all new housing projects and buildings must instal AED devices.
“Apart from that, the Penang CPR Committee was formed to oversee AED planning and distribution,” Wong added.
Wong said many countries in the world have made teaching CPR a part of their school curriculum.
In Japan, CPR is taught as early as preschool age, while in Malaysia, it is included as a single lesson in the Form 4 curriculum.
“However, many teachers lack the proper training and resources, such as CPR manikins, to effectively teach the skills,” she said.
Penang State Health director Datuk Dr Fazilah Shaik Allaudin highlighted Penang’s success, where 45% of heart attack victims outside hospitals received CPR from bystanders.
In response, Dzulkefly expressed hope to see similar CPR adoption in Klang Valley, Sarawak, Johor, and other states to create a nationwide culture of CPR awareness.
He also wants at least 20% of Malaysians trained in CPR and stressed that this should involve both the government and society. It is learned that in Norway, 98% of citizens are trained in CPR from school age.
Pictures taken at the ceremony :-
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Law Suun Ting