BY ALVERDTEKOSTER ANYAP AND NATASHA JEE
GEDONG: A special allocation has been approved by Sarawak for the procurement of Pfizer’s Paxlovid antiviral drug for the treatment of Covid-19.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the state government had consulted with the Ministry of Health (MOH) to buy the MoH approved antiviral drug, and is using the state’s own money to purchase it.
“I have given the permission and provided a special allocation to the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chaired by Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian to buy the antiviral drug.
“And from there we will also look at the effects of the antiviral drug on COVID-19 patients especially with mild symptoms,” he said.
He was speaking at the closing ceremony of RTM Kuching’s Jelajah Ramadan Programme held at the Datuk Patinggi Ali Hall in Gedong on Saturday.
On how much the state was allocating, Abang Johari said the allocation would be given according to the volume of supply.
Abang Johari, who is also Gedong assemblyman said as the country was in the endemic transition phase, people might not need to get vaccinated if the pills were available.
“It is just like if we are (unwell), we take Panadol. So, if we have fever, then we can take this pill,” he said.
