DCM impressed by fast setting up of hybrid field hospital

I thank the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Health for working very hard in setting up this hybrid field hospital. As you know, Kapit is one of the most remote areas in Sarawak.

— Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing, Deputy Chief Minister

KAPIT: Deputy Chief Minister of Sarawak Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing was very impressed by the swift setting up of a hybrid field hospital here.

He attributed the quick action to the close cooperation between the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Health, supported by the Kapit Resident’s Office and the Public Works Department (JKR) here.

He also thanked Deputy Minister II of Health Datuk Aron Ago Dagang, First Infantry Division Commander Maj-Gen Datuk Dzulkafli Jaafar, Ninth Infantry Brigade Commander Brig-Gen Shamshor Jaafar, and other military officers for their involvement.

“I thank the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Health for working very hard in setting up this hybrid field hospital. As you know, Kapit is one of the most remote areas in Sarawak.

“We need this hospital because of the high number of Covid-19 cases in Kapit. As at Friday, Kapit recorded over 3,400 positive Covid-19 cases. This is very bad because being far away from the urban areas, we are facing manpower and facility constraints in coping with these cases.

“Now, there are 29 beds here and should the need arise, (the number) can increase up to 44.

“However, it could be expanded further to 100 beds. It is my hope that this hybrid field hospital would not be fully occupied because that would not be a good sign,” Masing, who is Baleh assemblyman, told reporters after visiting the hybrid field hospital at Dewan Masyarakat Melayu in Kampung Mihibbah, Bletih here yesterday.

On the coming Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Gawai Dayak celebrations, Masing strongly advised the people against holding large gatherings in view of the present Covid-19 situation in the state.

“My advice this time around is to just remain at your ‘place of stay’, and don’t move around.

“For the sake of containing the virus, we need to sacrifice this year’s celebrations,” he added.

Masing shows thumbs-up for the camera as he tries out one of the beds at the hybrid field hospital in Kapit. Seen behind him are (from left) Dzulkafli, Ago, Bukit Goram assemblyman Jefferson Jamit Unyat and Kapit Hospital director Dr Ivan Vun.