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Johor govt should allocate funds for PPE, says state Pakatan chief

JOHOR BARU: The state government should allocate funds for personal protective equipment (PPE), says state Pakatan chief Aminolhuda Hassan.

He said that the party is looking into the complaints which they have received from frontliners at hospitals, who had claimed that they had to make their own PPE.

“We have received complaints from those working in hospitals that they have resorted to stitching together their own PPE. If this is not true, then we are expecting the state government to deny it,” he said.

He added that the Johor government should begin announcing an allocation which will be given to all hospitals in the state for the purpose of securing this equipment.

Aminolhuda said that hospital frontliners are constantly face-to-face with patients infected with Covid-19, and therefore need to remain focused.

He explained that the government should look into the welfare and safety of frontliners with more concern and ensure they are well equipped when they are carrying out their duties.

“We are also urging the government to take into consideration other frontliners, such as police officers and army personnel, who should also be issued PPE.

“This is to prepare them for unforeseen circumstances, such as dealing with an unidentified dead body, which carries risks for them,” he said.

On the issues of suppliers of PPE, Aminolhuda advised them to not take advantage of the situation by raising the price of such items.

“Do not mark up the prices of PPE supplied to the government. It is during times like these that they need be able to save as much money as possible to combat the pandemic,” he said.

It was reported earlier that the Health Ministry had encouraged various parties, including NGOs, to donate PPE for frontliners treating Covid-19 patients.

Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the supply of PPE to protect frontline personnel was still needed, as it is a disposable item that is used daily.

“The use of PPE has risen from two to 10 times more than the normal use,” he said.

Source: TheStar