RM2 mil to build COVID field hospital

KUCHING: The Sarawak government has approved an allocation of RM2 million to construct a field hospital near the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) here.

Uggah announced that the construction of the field hospital was part of the RM4.85 million approved by the Sarawak government for the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) in preparation for coping with the rising number of COVID-19 cases.

Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg had approved the amount to combat the increasing number of COVID-19 cases.

“The Premier is always ready to assist. This is for the well-being of the people of Sarawak and we must make sure we take care of them,” he said.

Uggah, who is also SDMC chairman, explained that currently, a field hospital was available in Sibu while another one was under construction in Miri.

“For the field hospital in Kuching, there are only 88 beds and it will start operation in January.

“As for Sibu, it has 100 beds and is ready for operation. The one in Miri with 100 beds is still under construction,” he told reporters at a press conference yesterday (Dec 21) at Wisma Bapa Malaysia.

Elaborating further, Uggah pointed out that besides Sibu, Kapit already had a field hospital.

He said the field hospital in Kuching would follow the design of the field hospital in Sibu.

Uggah added RM2.1 million had been approved to replenish Paxlovid stock (antiviral pill used to treat COVID-19) to cater for the rising demand for the drug, especially for high-risk groups with comorbidities and the elderly.

“We don’t want to run out of Paxlovid stocks in the near future. That’s why we order them now, especially now Christmas Day, Chinese New Year and Hari Raya are approaching,” he added.

In addition, Uggah said RM300,000 would be spent on replenishing the Rapid Test Kit (RTK) professional and saliva test stocks to get faster and reliable diagnostic tests to detect the presence of COVID-19.

He added that RM450,000 would be for the setting up of canopies in the SGH triage areas to assist with the increased volume of patients coming to the hospital.

“These canopies will protect and provide shelters to the patients and medical personnel,” he said.

Among those present were Deputy State Secretary Datuk Buckland Bangik and Deputy State Health Department Director, Dr. Veronica Lugah.