Maybank allocates RM14m for 2 hospitals via Mercy Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) has committed RM14 million to two major government hospitals to ensure adequate medical facilities and services in coping with the surge in Covid-19 patients.

The contribution, to be channelled via Mercy Malaysia’s Covid-19 Hospital Surge Capacity Support Programme, will see the deployment of critical equipment and personnel to Kuala Lumpur Hospital and Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Klang Hospital from the fourth week of this month.

Maybank chairman Tan Sri Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa said the programme would be carried out over 20 weeks via a threepronged approach, namely through the provision of health equipment and supplies, mobilisation of human resources and technical training, including mental health and psychosocial support.

“It will increase the intensive car unit (ICU) bed capacity for Category 4 and 5 Covid-19 patients by six units in Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Klang Hospital and 10 units in Kuala Lumpur Hospital, as well as an additional 200 Covid-19 patient beds at each of these hospitals,” he said in a statement yesterday.

The programme will provide critically needed health workers and support staff of 40 for Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Klang Hospital and 50 for Kuala Lumpur Hospital to serve at both their Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 wards, thereby enabling their outpatient departments to reopen.

Zamzamzairani said the initiative would also see more medical staff trained on the proper handling of Covid-19 cases.

Recognising the need to reduce the burnout rate and mental health challenges among health workers, the programme will also provide mental health and psychosocial support services through reliable health management modules and mechanisms, and deliver direct aid to reduce the livelihood burdens of these workers and their family members.

Given the acute capacity challenges at Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Klang Hospital, he said Maybank’s contribution would see the setting up of a temporary field hospital along with technical training for staff.

“Our hope is that by working together with the health authorities, Mercy Malaysia and Malaysians, the sustainability of our nation’s healthcare system will be assured, and our hospitals will be better equipped and prepared to face not only the current Covid-19 pandemic but also other future unexpected pandemics,” he said.

Last year, the Maybank group contributed more than RM20 million to support various Covid19 relief efforts.