By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, April 24: Sarawak health experts have estimated that the State will need an additional 3,800 doses of Pfizer’s Paxlovid antiviral pills until August this year.
Deputy Premier of Sarawak Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian noted that the federal government had procured 48,000 doses of the Covid-19 drug. However, of these, Sarawak will only receive 2,400 doses.
“Meanwhile, our experts predicted that during this period until August, we would need another 3,800 doses.
“This drug is in great demand worldwide. You cannot wait until you need it. You have money; you (cannot) ‘tengok saja’ (do nothing).
“Therefore, based on that prediction, the Sarawak government has asked our State Health Department to help us buy (the pills),” he said.
He said this to reporters after officiating at a ‘bubur lambuk’ distribution programme in conjunction with the Ramadan month held at Surau Nurul Najihin Kampung Stapok in Jalan Batu Kawa here today.
Dr Sim, who is also Batu Kawah assemblyman, further informed that one dose of the Paxlovid antiviral pill contains five tablets.
“One dose is for each person,” he added.
He also mentioned that while the drug will be administered free to Sarawakians, it cannot be purchased from pharmacies or private facilities.
“You must consult a doctor first because the pill can have drug-to-drug interactions. In addition, it has some side effects, such as diarrhoea, vomiting, and loss of taste.
“Thus, the doctors in the hospital will assess you based on the needs, including looking at your medical records and whether you are preparatory or not,” he emphasised.
On the programme, it was organised by Kampung Stapok Neighbourhood Watch in collaboration with the Kampung Stapok Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Women and Youth Wings and Surau Nurul Najihin management committee.
The ‘bubur lambuk’ will be distributed to 200 households.
Dr Sim also presented a wheelchair to 74-year-old Rahmah Huk, who has been experiencing knee problems for two years. — DayakDaily
