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Hotspot 999 ambulance service gains traction

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Chan (left) and MRC Sarawak Chapter Vice Chairman 1 John Lam (right) cutting the ribbons at the launch of the MRC Hotspot 999 Ambulance Service

KUCHING: A Hotspot 999 Ambulance Service has been making an impact and the project undertaken by the Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) here deserves all-round support.

In stating this, MRCS Sarawak Chapter chairperson Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan said the potential impact of the project was promising and could well become part of the public service delivery transformation initiatives in the government transformation agenda.

He said this service was undertaken in response to the call by the Ministry of Health (MOH) to establish a decentralised ambulance base at a strategic location here.

“After a study was conducted, it was recommended that the hotspot should be based in Samariang in view of the steady development and population growth in the area.

“MRCS Sarawak Chapter took on the challenge and initiated actions in February this year to look for a suitable location in Samariang for the establishment of the hotspot base.

“After a soul-searching effort, Mydin Samariang answered our call for a base to be set up here and this is indeed a noble corporate social responsibility (CSR) gesture of Mydin not only to MRCS Sarawak Chapter, but to the whole community of Samariang,” he said during the MRC Hotspot 999 Ambulance Service official launch held at Mydin Samariang Mall, yesterday (Oct 16).

He pointed out that the current ambulance crew strength stood at six members, which limits them to operate only on two shifts from 7am-3pm and 3pm-11pm daily.

“Para-medic personnel were recruited and trained extensively at the Emergency Trauma Department of Sarawak General Hospital for two months.

“On a monthly basis, the Hotspot 999 Ambulance Service attended to 30-40 medical or trauma cases, including cases for inter-facility transfers.

“Our ambulance crew are also able to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and are equipped with automated external defibrillators to handle life-threatening heart problems,” he said.

According to Chan, the hotspot base can be an avenue to promote general health and well-being of the community with the engagement of the volunteers together with the medical personnel from the government and private medical centres who share the same aspirations.

“The wellness programme could create an awareness of the dangers of non-communicable diseases with early detection of stroke and heart attack symptoms.

“Premature mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease is among the highest and should be a health concern for all and the hotspot base could also provide health screening for blood pressure and sugar readings,” he added.

Among those present were Head of Emergency and Trauma Unit Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) Dr Chan Hiang Chuan; SGH medical assistant Chang Kuet Onn and Head of Medical Emergency Coordinating Centre (MECC) Sarawak Tan Hang Nguang.

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