THE Penang government has expressed its profound gratitude to all frontliners, volunteers, various agencies and corporate sectors as the curtain came down on all the 10 remaining Covid-19 vaccination centres (PPVs) today.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who officially closed the PPVs in Vangohh Eminent Hotel (Machang Bubuk), SP Arena (Seberang Jaya) and Setia SPICE Arena (Relau) today, said although the PPVs had ended their operations, the battle against Covid-19 is not over as yet.
He also stressed the importance of complying with the standard operating procedures (SOPs).
“Many thanks to all involved in the PPVs. It’s not easy but we managed to do it! We have managed to ensure that 1.5 million people and residents of Penang are fully vaccinated; well done to all!
“The vaccination process will still be carried out at public and private health facilities under the supervision of JKNPP (State Health Department).
“We still need to work hard and the latest challenge is the booster dose injection which has officially started on Oct 18 in the state.
“Booster dose will be given to those who are eligible through the MySejahtera application involving currently 46 private clinics and eight private hospitals,” Chow said in his speech at the closing ceremony of the Setia SPICE Arena PPV.
He also thanked SP Setia for allowing their venue to be used as a vaccination centre (PPV) without any charge.
Chow added that as a result of the commitment of all parties, about 50 various types of PPVs, including mega PPV and Public-Private Partnership Industrial Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (Pikas), had been successfully established in the state.
Following the announcement of the transfer of Covid-19 vaccination management from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Mosti) to the Ministry of Health (MoH) starting on Oct 15 this year, only 10 PPVs were operating in Penang for the National Youth Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (PICK-Youth).
All 10 – Pesta Sungai Nibong, Balik Pulau Sports Complex, Setia SPICE Arena, Kepala Batas Millenium Hall, PERDA Convention Centre, SP Arena, Seberang Jaya Ekspo Site, Vangohh Eminent Hotel, Jawi Multipurpose Hall and Sungai Bakap Multipurpose Hall – ended their operations today.
Chow thanked the various agencies, especially the state Health Department, state National Security Council, and State Secretary Datuk Seri Abdul Razak Jaafar, who headed the state Covid-19 Immunisation Special Task Force (CITF) and all the district officers for their full cooperation to make the programme a success.
Chow also conveyed the condolences of the state government to families whose loved ones had passed away due to Covid-19 and also expressed hopes for a speedy recovery to those who are suffering from the illness.
Mega PPV Setia SPICE Arena manager Dr Norhasimah Ismail, who was also present, said a total of 408,500 doses of vaccines (AstraZeneca and Pfizer) were administered to 204,250 people in 147 days that the centre had operated since June 7.
She added that the immunisation programme could not have run smoothly without the help and cooperation of public agencies and other parties such as the Armed Forces, police, Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM), Rela, Fire and Rescue Department, and PH Corp.
SP Setia Berhad deputy president and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Koe Peng Kang paid tribute to all the agencies, individuals and private sectors for making the programme a success, describing their contribution as leaving a legacy for Malaysia.
He recalled the anxiety that he had to go through because he had never gone through such an exercise, and was also worried over the talk of a PPV cluster.
“Now, it is a relief that this mission is accomplished, thanks to everyone’s effort.
“It’s an emotional journey. I say it is a legacy because in the history book, we will never forget about this chapter.
“It’s an exceptional journey to us; it demonstrates the comradeship. Because of that, we start to forget about our differences. That is something the pandemic taught me, so valuable for my life.
“When it comes to survival, everybody forgets about differences. Some say six months Malaysia cannot do it; today we prove them wrong.
“When we focus on our energy, then we will be successful.
“We also feel a sense of sadness now. We have become friends and we will never forget this milestone,” Koe said in his speech.
Also present were state Environment and Welfare Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh, who is also the state Emergency Response Team chairman, and state Agrotech and Food Security, Rural Development and Health Committee chairman Dr Norlela Ariffin, state Health Department director Dr Ma’arof Sudin, state National Security Council director Nazrul Fazami Mohamad and Southwest district officer Mohd Hafiz Aswad Nadzri.
Earlier, over at the SP Arena, Chow thanked all the 835 frontliners, including medical and non-medical staff at the PPV, for working tirelessly to ensure the vaccination process went smoothly.
“The PPV at SP Arena in Seberang Jaya also managed to vaccinate 153,151 recipients since it began operations on April 12 this year.
“Thus, on behalf of the state government, I would like to thank all of them once again for everything they have done here,” Chow said in his speech during the closing ceremony at the PPV today.
Also present at SP Arena were state Agrotech and Food Security, Rural Development and Health Committee chairman Dr Norlela Ariffin, state Welfare and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh and Penang Health Department director Dr Ma’arof Sudin.
Story by K.H. Ong & Riadz Akmal
Pix by Chan Kok Kuan & Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar
Video by Law Suun Ting & Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi