First coastal PPV in Malaysia allowing 532 O&G workers in Bintulu to be vaccinated

O&G workers pose for a photograph after vaccination.

BINTULU, Aug 17: Bintulu Divisional Health Office and Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd-Sarawak Asset (PCSB-SKA) have set up E11, B11 and KAKG coastal vaccination centres (PPV) to administer vaccines to oil and gas (O&G) industry workers who have yet to be vaccinated or missed the date of their second dose vaccination appointment.

According to a report by the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas), Bintulu Divisional Health Officer Dr Melvin Chung Hsien Liang said this was one of PCSB-SKA’s joint efforts with the Bintulu Divisional Health Office and the Bintulu Member of Parliament Service Center in extending vaccination services to O&G workers.

“O&G workers spend a lot of time on the rig, making it difficult for them to keep appointments in the MySejahtera app.

“A total of 501 received their first dose of vaccines while 31 others received their second dose,” Dr Chung was quoted saying.

The administration of second doses for those receiving the first-dose today is expected to begin on Aug 31 at the same location, Dr Chung told Ukas when met at the PPV on Sunday (Aug 15).

He believed that O&G vaccination outreach programme will be able to speed up the vaccination rate in Bintulu, save time and cost as well as ensure that no O&G workers are left out in the vaccination programme.

He also hoped that such effort would be able to reduce the risk of Covid-19 positive cases in the O&G sector.

Meanwhile, one of the vaccine recipients Thomas Sia Pik Tuang thanked Petronas and those involved in making vaccination programme for the O&G workers possible.

Thomas Sia Pik Tuang.

“When we are on the ship for a long time, we don’t have time to go back to land to get the vaccine. Therefore, we really appreciate Petronas’ efforts in providing PPV on this platform,” he said.

At the same time, PCSB-SKA senior general manager Ruslan Abdul Ghani expressed his appreciation and thanks to the Sarawak Government, Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, Bintulu Divisional Disaster Management Committee (DDMC) Chairman Jack Aman Luat and Bintulu Divisional Health Office for their support and cooperation in realising the first Coastal PPV in Malaysia.

He added that the Petronas management is always committed in ensuring the safety of O&G operations and consistently strives to assist the State in achieving herd immunity by the end of this month. — DayakDaily