THE Penang government will consider supporting the effort to set up an emergency response team (ERT) for hikers.
Penang Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said he agreed in principle to have the ERT set up for the hikers.
“Perhaps we can look into it more. I will have a discussion with Penang Island City Council (MBPP) mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang about the matter,” he said during a ceremony to hand over two units of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to P84 and P39 committees today.
The request to have an ERT set up for hikers was made by P84 committee chairman Datuk Jimmy Ong. The AEDs were sponsored by Pantai Hospital Penang.
Ong thanked Pantai Hospital for sponsoring the two AEDs.
In his speech, he spoke about losing a good friend, Datuk David Foong, a veteran member of Rehda Penang, who passed away at the age of 58 after collapsing during a trail hike at Bukit Cendana.
“When one suffers a heart attack, the time available to respond is short.
“It is important for hikers to learn the CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). It can help to save a person’s life while he or she waits for the ambulance or the rescue team to arrive.
“We hope that the state can support the effort to set up an emergency response team. The state can consider supporting in terms of funding or others, so that CPR training can be provided to hikers,” he said.
The event was jointly organised by P84 committee, Lions Club of George Town and Leisure Time.
Lions Virtual Climb for Green Penang Hill 2020 organising chairman Por Chun Hau said the Lions Club of George Town responded to the request by the P84 committee to help maintain the facilities at P84 station.
“We hold the ‘Virtual Climb for Green Penang Hill 2020’ fundraising event, which is currently ongoing until June 30.
“We thank Pantai Hospital Penang for sponsoring the two units of AEDs,” he said.
Lions 308 B2 District Governor Datuk Yeoh Moh Chai congratulated Lions Club of George Town and thanked Pantai Hospital Penang.
Jagdeep said the state government is concerned about public health and safety.
“They are part of the state’s agenda and we do our best to achieve it.
“Currently with these two new AEDs, we have 70 units of AEDs installed in public places in Penang,” he said.
The VIPs also took part in a tree planting event after the ceremony.
Also present were Bukit Bendera MP Wong Hon Wai, Kebun Bunga assemblyman Jason Ong, Air Putih service centre manager Hong Kian Beng, MBPP mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang, Penang Hill Corporation general manager Datuk Cheok Lay Leng, Forestry Department director Muhammad Ezhar Yusuf, Penang Botanic Gardens Department director Nur Syazwani Ismail, Penang Public Works Department Dr G. Balamurugan.
Others include Pantai Hospital Penang chief operating officer Ng Bong Seng, Lions Club of George Town president Vincent Yen and P39 chartered chairman Lum Wee Lung.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Chan Kok Kuan