CMVT to be extended in state’s remote areas until August
KANOWIT: The Malaysian Armed Forces Combat Medic Vaccination Team (CMVT) approach has proven to be successful in giving vaccination to people in remote areas in the state, said First Infantry Division commander Major-General Datuk Dzulkafli Mustaffa.
He said over 3,000 people in Ba Kelalan, Long Semado and Long Sukang in Miri Division, Bukit Mabong district in Kapit Division and Nanga Jagau and Nanga Ngungun in Kanowit District had received at least their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine under the programme so far.
He said the programme, which kicked off at Ba Kelalan at the end of June, would be extended to August based on this performance.
“CMVT strength comprises five doctors and 15 paramedics as vaccinators and they were mobilised to vaccinate people in remote areas.
“For example, Long Busang, Long Unai and Sang Anau in Bukit Mabong District, which are only accesible by boat or helicopter,” he told reporters during the CMVT programme at Rumah Mungkin Gerasi in Nanga Ngungun resettlement scheme here yesterday.
According to Dzulkafli, the CMVT is a collaboration between the Armed Forces, federal Health Ministry and Sarawak government.
He said the four-day programme, which commenced on July 8 at Nanga Ngungun and Nanga Jagau, was carried out from longhouse to longhouse.
The CMVT is expected to administer the second-dose vaccine to over 1,700 people from 27 longhouses at Nanga Ngungun during the programme.
He said for Nanga Jagau they have vaccinated 236 people as of Friday.
“The team will carry out vaccination for around 1,700 residents from 24 longhouses at Pasai Siong after Nanga Ngungun and Nanga Jagau.
“We expect the situation to be more tough at Pasai Siong as the area has still registered positive cases. Our CMVT personnel will probably have to don full personal protective equipment (PPE),” he said.
Dzulkafli also revealed that they are waiting for vaccine supply from the state government to mobilise CMVT to Long Singut.
He was accompanied by Ninth Brigade Infantry commander Brigadier-General Shamshor