IIUM FACILITY JOINS VACCINE DRIVE
Varsity’s medical centre can administer up to 1,000 doses of vaccines daily over next few months
THE Sultan Ahmad Shah Medical Centre at International Islamic University of Malaysia (Sasmec@IIUM) here opened its doors yesterday as the first vaccination centre for higher learning institutions (IPT PPV) in the state.
Sasmec@IIUM hospital director Professor Datuk Dr Mohamed Saufi Awang said the university hospital, which operated five days a week between 9am and 5pm, could administer up to 1,000 doses of vaccines daily.
He said Sasmec@IIUM had provided vaccinations for its staff and patients since March before being selected as an IPT PPV last month.
“We have started operations to- day (yesterday) and will continue till October or November ahead of the monsoon.
“The aim is to ensure that at least 80 per cent of the population here are vaccinated by November.
“The centre will not only cater to the elderly and those with special needs, but also those aged 18 and above.
“Everything is in place and we hope the vaccination process will be executed as scheduled,” he said yesterday.
Saufi said some 300 staff, including 180 Sasmec@IIUM students, were part of the volunteers at various sections of the IPT PPV, and they had been trained at the site.
He said besides providing on-site vaccination facilities, they were also looking forward to participating in the vaccination outreach with the Health Department.
“We hope to work together with the health authorities to travel to Orang Asli settlements to vaccinate as many people as possible quickly,” he said.
Sasmec@IIUM IPT PPV chief coordinator Associate Professor Dr Razman Mohd Rus said to ensure that the area did not become crowded, several waiting zones with tents had been set up near the premises.
“For those who arrive early, we have the arrival tent set up outside the main lobby.
“We have provided chairs at waiting areas and have volunteers on the ground to help the public move around,” he said, adding that buggies and wheelchairs would be offered to the disabled and the elderly.
Volunteer Mohamad Azhan Awang, 24, said helping the public at the premises allowed him to unwind after attending recorded lecture classes at night.
“Since the lectures have been pre-recorded, I can spend the day helping at the PPV and return to my hostel to revise at night.
“All the volunteers have undergone training on how to handle any emergencies,” said the fourth-year medical student.