Explain why 8 out of 10 ventilators sent to Sarawak not working, says rep

 

Five out of the 10 ventilators received by Sarawak from the health ministry last week were sent to Sibu Hospital.

KUCHING: An assemblyman has told the health ministry to explain why eight out of 10 units of ventilators sent to Sarawak last week were not functioning.

Bukit Assek assemblyman Irene Chang said the ventilators arrived last Tuesday, and five units were sent to Sibu Hospital, three to Bintulu Hospital and two to Sarikei Hospital.

“The units sent to Sibu and Bintulu are not functioning and have to be sent for repairs,” she said in a statement today.

“The two units sent to Sarikei Hospital are also not functioning well as the screens keep freezing up and need to restart constantly, which is a serious threat to the patients.”

Chang also claimed that the ventilator units were 2004 models, which did not have any built-in air compressor. Hence, they need to be connected to the wall-mounted compressors at the wards to function.

“We have been asking for more of such machines over the years. Hospitals in Sarawak are facing a shortage of ventilators for Covid-19 patients and the daily (number of) cases is worrying,” she said.

She said the Sarawak government should insist that the federal government return the state’s autonomy in health and education as soon as possible. - FMT