By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Jan 19: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has approved RM81 million for the management and operational expenditure of State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) from January until June this year.
SDMC chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas highlighted that the allocation will also cover the cost of setting up a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) laboratory for Covid-19 tests in Kapit.
“Yesterday, State Health Department Kapit division has requested for a PCR lab to be set up in Kapit following cases of samples taking quite some time for the results to be out.
“This lab is similar to that which is being set up in Limbang and Chief Minister has approved it using State fund so that Kapit can also have its own lab,” he told a press conference on Covid-19 update today.
Uggah, who is also Deputy Chief Minister, reiterated that this effort demonstrated Sarawak government’s commitment and seriousness in playing its role to curb the Covid-19 pandemic in the State.
“With this, we hope we can prepare and provide sufficient facilities including for quarantine, increasing bed capacity as well as for testing such as the PCR lab in Kapit.
“In other words, Sarawak government is determined to provide all necessary support for SDMC to deliver the best services to the people,” he said.
Uggah once again called on the people to continue to be vigilant as winning the war against Covid-19 depends not only on the State government’s allocation which was insufficient but the full support and cooperation from everyone.
“For us to be successful, we need the cooperation from all Sarawakians. So please cooperate with us. This is for the benefit of you, your families and whole Sarawak. Let’s take good care of Sarawak,” he urged. — DayakDaily
