Tawau Hospital receives 20 respirators
TAWAU: Tawau Chinese Chamber of Commerce (TCCC) and Tawau Agricultural Club (TAC) have donated 20 sets of “Powered Air-Purifying Respirator” (PAPR) worth more than RM170,000 to Tawau Hospital.
TCCC president, Chia Siong Fatt, said Taway Hospital had requested assistance from the organisations to support the frontliners who are working tirelessly and selflessly to save Covid-19 patients.
"Our nation is now wrestling with the third wave of Covid19 outbreak, where Sabah has become the most embattled war zone. The rapid surge in infected individuals has put immense stress on the medical supplies and facilities of the state hospitals," he said.
With the rapid surge in Covid-19 positive patients, he said the local health institutions are challenged with exhaustion and shortage of medical equipment.
"Thus, when the deputy director of Tawau Hospital Dr. Azman Ibrahim requested for assistance in providing the PAPR, the request received full support from the "Fight Covid19 for Tawau" (FCT) campaign committee, which immediately place order from a supplier based in Kota Kinabalu," said Chia.
According to Dr. Azman, the PAPRs are of great help to healthcare workers, as they are ensured better safety, are more comfortable to put on and improve work efficiency.
"In particular, unlike N95 masks, PAPRs are easy to wear and allow healthcare workers to breathe normally without barrier and keep their face fresh and dried at all times. More importantly, they enable unobstructed view and communication with patients, and can be reused so long as properly disinfected," he said.
The PAPRs were received on behalf of Tawau hospital by the hospital's director Dr. Norlima Arsad, deputy director Dr. Jaclyn Gonduman and their assistant Mr. Pang, from the FCT committee, which was represented by Datuk Michael Ng Siew Chon and Jason Gan of TAC, and TCCC secretary Tan Boon Lian. A representative of the supplier was also present to demonstrate how to use a PAPR.
After the handover, Michael expressed his gratitude for the generosity of the Tawau community, each making their own contribution, whether in financial or non-financial terms, at this critical time where many medical resources are in shortage.
"Their show of kindness and solidarity is certainly a great motivation to the healthcare workers," he said.
He also took the opportunity to salute and thank the healthcare workers, for their selfless and fearless service in protecting the physical wellbeing of the community.
Meanwhile the FCT campaign committee urged the public to play their parts to control the spread of Covid-19 in Tawau, by practising good personal hygiene, following SOPs as instructed by the government and to avoid leaving home unnecessarily, thereby minimizing any risk of contracting the virus.
"By protecting ourselves from the disease, we would also enable our healthcare institution with more sufficient medical resources and manpower to treat those who are already infected."
At the meantime, the campaign committee will keep regular contact with the hospital, and make good use of the FCT fund contributed by the public, in purchasing any essential medical equipment or supplies should such needs arise, as a means to provide concrete support and assistance to the healthcare workers.