Ismail (second right), accompanied by Dr Sim meet one of the recipients at Muara Tuang Army Camp. — Photo by Chimon Upon
KUCHING (June 19): The Malaysian Army will be assisting the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (PICK) by giving vaccinations at vaccination centres (PPV) in the rural areas of Sarawak and Sabah through an outreach programme, said Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
He said that a Combat Medic Vaccination Team (CMVT) has been created to assist both state governments and the Health Ministry (MoH) on the matter.
Ismail Sabri added that the CMVT has set a target to vaccinate 200 to 250 people a day, with the vaccine supplied by the state government and the team would be operating eight hours daily.
“They are expected to complete the vaccination process between three to four days at each centre, depending on the capacity of the vaccine doses. The programme will begin at the end of June and is expected to last within a month depending on the vaccine supply provided by MoH.
“The CMVT will travel by army aircraft and vehicles. Each team will consist of one Medical Officer, four paramedics and two MoH staff,” he told a press conference at Muara Tuang Army Camp here today.
Ismail said the implementation of CMVT in Sarawak will involve three divisions and will provide services at five vaccination centres that have been identified by the state government.
He said the locations to be covered are Buduk Nur in Limbang (734 recipients), Sang Anau (204 recipient), Long Busan (736 recipients) and Long Unai (272 recipients), all in Bukit Mabong.
In Sibu, the team will cover Nanga Ngungun, Kanowit, where more than 1,000 people will be vaccinated.
He said the 1st Division Infantry will coordinate the implementation of the programme in Sarawak in collaboration with the residents, Sarawak Health Department and staff from MoH.
For the implementation of CMVT in Sabah, Ismail said it will be coordinated by the 5th Division Infantry, where it will mobilise the medical team by road from Kota Kinabalu to Long Pasia.
He said about 500 people are eligible for the vaccine there.
Meanwhile, the Muara Tuang Army Camp here has been selected as the drive-through PPV for military personnel and their families.
Ismail said the drive-through vaccination programme at Muara Tuang Camp will be implemented for five days until June 23.
He said for this program, a total of 7,032 individuals consisting of military personnel, families as well as civilian staff around Kuching have been listed to receive injections.
The number comprises 3,272 military personnel, 3,300 family members and 460 civilian staff.
He said similar programme will be implemented in Sibu and Miri after this.
“The implementation of this programme is to provide convenience and comfort to vaccination recipients among the military, their families, civil servants of the Ministry of Defence,” he said.
Local Government and Housing Minister Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian was also present.