Abang Johari (centre) greets those who come for their vaccination. On his left is Dr Au Yong. – Photo by Penerangan
KUCHING (June 16): Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg visited the Normah Medical Specialist Centre this afternoon, where he got to witness the innovative approach applied there for Covid-19 vaccine administration.
It took place a day after The Borneo Post had reported on the ‘one-chair’ approach applied by Normah sees recipients seated in the same chair for the vaccination and observation process.
Abang Johari was led to a tour of the Normah’s Covid-19 vaccination centre by its chief executive officer Dato Dr Au Yong Kien Hoe.
The visit to Normah took place after Abang Johari had earlier visited the vaccination centre at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) at Detar Putra in the university’s main campus in Kota Samarahan.
The vaccination centre at Normah commenced operations on Monday.
Local Government and Housing Minister Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian who visited Normah that day had commended its “innovative ways of giving vaccines”.
“Vaccinators move while people sit in the same chair — from registration, getting vaccinated, and observation,” he had mentioned in a Facebook post.
Normah’s Corporate and Business Development deputy head Bidari Mohamad Suhaili in a news report yesterday explained when recipients arrive at Normah, their identity would be verified and then they will be taken to the vaccination centre without their family members.
“Our team will take care of them while they are here. After they have signed the consent form, we get them seated and then our nurses will move around to vaccinate these people. All in all, our process is very fast as people don’t have to wait too long,” he had said.
Bidari said there is also a drive-through service under the covered parking lot area for those with special needs.
“When the hospital calls you to confirm your attendance, and if you are or you have bedridden or disabled patients, you can use the drive-through service but you must notify the hospital that you are in that category.
“Then the security or Rela will take care of it and give you a number and you proceed to the drive-through. You don’t have to get out from the car as we will vaccinate you in your car,” he said.
Bidari said these are part of the hospital’s efforts to help the state government and Ministry of Health (MoH) speed up the vaccination programme by reaching as many people as possible in a safe manner.
“We target 1,000; we hope to hit 1,000 every day so that we can (achieve) herd immunity in the community,” he had said, adding that the hospital had a good turnout on its first day on June 14 with almost 100 per cent attendance.