KUCHING, April 7: Old Putera Association (OPA) has fabricated and delivered over 100 intubation and sampling boxes to help protect medical workers combating Covid-19 in designated hospitals in Sarawak.
OPA Sarawak Chapter deputy president OP Mashan Ahmad Rais handed over 72 intubation boxes and 85 sampling boxes to the State Health Department and Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) respectively today.
The personal protective equipment (PPE) was also distributed to Kota Samarahan, Serian, Betong, Sibu, Bintulu, Miri and Marudi with the support from the Malaysian Army courtesy of the East Malaysia Field Commander.
The ‘OPA Supports Frontliners’ initiative was started by OP Dr Firdaus Hariri, who previously served at Kota Samarahan dental clinic, in response to a request in Klang Valley as the area had the highest rate of Covid-19 cases.
OPA members were then mobilised within 24 hours to raise funds and fabricate the PPE boxes according to specifications, to be distributed to designated Covid-19 hospitals.
The initiative raised RM30,000 for Sarawak alone including RM5,000 in sponsorship from Sarawak Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA) as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) and personal contributions from the public concerned about the wellbeing of health care frontliners.
The logistics to fly in the boxes from Kuala Lumpur was coordinated by the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) via their transport aircraft to Kuching.
State Health Department director Dr Chin Zin Hing expressed thanks to OPA Sarawak Chapter for the contributions during this critical period.
“It really helps us to carry out our duty in fighting the outbreak to spread any further,” he said.
OPA is an old boys’ association for graduates of Royal Military College (RMC), Kuala Lumpur. Log on to www.opa.org.my for more information. — DayakDaily
