By Rachel Mina
SIBU: Education, Science and Technological Research Assistant Minister Dr Annuar Rapaee welcomes the setting up of a field hospital at Medan here.
He said the establishment of the hospital would help to ease the burden on Sibu Hospital.
“Non-Covid-19 patients who are discharged or waiting to be allowed to return, can be placed there,” he said.
Dr Annuar added that the field hospital would have a capacity of 100 beds and would be operated by the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM).
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin told a news conference after a meeting with Sarawak Disaster Management Committee at Wisma Bapa Malaysia in Petra Jaya here on Sunday that the federal government had agreed in principle to set up the field hospital.
Khairy added that Malaysian Ministry of Health (MOH)would also discuss with the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) the setting up of the field hospital in Sibu.
He revealed that his party had received an application from the Sarawak government to set up the hospital.
“In principle, we agree and will discuss it with the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM),” he said.
Dr Annuar also commented on the vaccination programme for teenagers at Dewan Suarah here. He said it was good as the students would be going back to school.
Meanwhile, chief coordinator of the vaccination programme at Dewan Suara, Dr Deburra Peak Ngadan said it would be completed before October 3 in preparation for the face-to-face school session scheduled next month.
Sibu Information Department (JaPen) said yesterday that the poor weather did not stop parents from accompanying their children to the vaccination centre.
“Most parents were relieved that their children were getting the jabs before school resumed,” it said in a statement yesterday.
Alexer Tebi Angking, 13, of SMK Tiong Hin, was previously hesitant about the vaccination.
He said he was pleased and excited to see his friends at the centre.
“I also feel more confident about going to school once the session starts,” he added.
On the third day of the vaccination programme for teenagers aged 12 to 15, 1310 students will be vaccinated at the Dewan Suarah in Sibu.
The vaccination programme for teenagers aged 12 to 15 in Sarawak began on Thursday (Sept 23) and was carried out in phases.
The atmosphere at Dewan Suarah Sibu 
Sibu District Health Department officers in charge of the registration counter.
