By Adrian Lim
KUCHING, Feb 27: The state government has allocated RM30 million for the Covid-19 vaccination programme in rural areas.
In view of the large geographical area in Sarawak and the cost of transportation for the Covid-19 vaccine, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg disclosed that the state government has prepared the fund for the transportation and the storage of Covid-19 vaccine in the rural areas.
“The federal government has requested us to help.
“Therefore, the state government has approved an allocation of RM30 million for us to send the Covid-19 vaccine to interior areas.
“It means all Sarawakians will be jabbed,” he said during a press conference after launching the state-level Covid-19 vaccination programme at the Indoor Petra Jaya Stadium here today.
Abang Johari who is also Finance and Economic Planning Minister noted that the large geographical area in Sarawak has provided a challenge for the state to implement the Covid-19 vaccination programme.
He explained that the Covid-19 vaccination programme in Sarawak requires extensive planning in terms of manpower and logistics.
“But I am confident the SDMC chairman Datuk Amar Douglas and his highly dedicated team will be able to implement it with success,” he added.
Abang Johari said the state government is also monitoring other vaccination programmes which were being carried out around the world so Sarawak can adopt the good side of it.
On the question of getting Covid-19 vaccine from another supplier other than Pfizer-BioNTech, he said the decision will be based on the regulatory approval from the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) and advice from the medical experts from Sarawak Covid-19 Vaccine Advisory Group.
The Sarawak Covid-19 Vaccine Advisory Group is a group established by the state government headed by former State Health director Datu Dr Andrew Kiyu and 11 other medical experts to evaluate and monitor the procurement of the Covid-19 vaccine in the state.
Among those who present at the launching of the state-level vaccination programme include Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Minister for Local Government and Housing Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian, Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, Utilities Minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom and State Secretary Datuk Amar Jaul Samion and State Health director Dr Chin Zin Hing. —DayakDaily
