By Christopher Lidom
KUCHING, Oct 16: Malaysia Red Cresent (MRC) Sarawak Chapter launched the Hotspot 999 Ambulance Service at Mydin Semariang to provide faster emergency response time for the local community.
MRC Sarawak Chapter chairperson Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam said the project is a collaborative effort started by Ministry of Health (MOH) together with St John Ambulance of Malaysia and MRC Society to establish a decentralised ambulance base at a strategic location in Kuching.
According to Dr Chan, Hotspot 999 Ambulance Services are placed at hotspots or areas where a high number of Malaysia Emergency Response Service 999 (MERS 999) calls are likely to be made.
“The ultimate aim is to deliver medical emergency response in less than 15 minutes, or if possible, 10 minutes, in line with international standards,” he said during the launching ceremony for the Hotspot 999 Ambulance Service at Mydin Semariang, today.
Also present was MRC Sarawak Chapter vice-chairman John Lam.
Dr Chan noted, MRC Sarawak Chapter is also contemplating providing enhanced value-added services by increasing the efficiency of the funding ratio.
He said the hotspot base can be an avenue to promote general health and wellbeing with engagement from volunteers and medical personnel from government and private medical service providers.
“The potential impact of this project is promising and could well become one of the public service delivery transformation initiatives in the government’s transformation agenda,” he added.
The Hotspot 999 Ambulance Service at Mydin Semariang is currently manned by six crew members and operating two shifts daily from 7am to 3pm, and 3pm to 11pm. — DayakDaily
