Dr Wong (third left) receives an appreciation certificate from Abdul Rahman, witnessed by (from left) Roslan, Bong and Omar.
MIRI: Miri Hospital director Dr Jack Wong said the Covid-19 pandemic has kept members of the public on constant alert and also somewhat reduced the number of people getting sick from other illnesses.
“This is the first time we face something very big like this (Covid-19). One thing we noticed during the MCO is that less people are getting sick.
“This is due to the standard operating procedures (SOP) such as social distancing, wearing mask, regular hand washing and good hygiene practices put in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19,” he said.
Dr Wong said this during the Sarawak Medical Services Union (SMSU) Miri biennial general meeting (BGM) and the visit of Congress of Union of Employees in the Public and Civil Services Malaysia (Cuepacs), and frontliners appreciation ceremony at Dynasty Hotel here yesterday.
Cuepacs secretary general Abdul Rahman Mohamad Nordin officiated at the function.
Cuepacs financial secretary Roslan Nordin, SMSU president Bong Kuek Siong, Cuepacs Sarawak deputy chairman Omar Bahrein Unin and assistant medical officer Rowland Mitop representing Miri Health officer were among those present.
According to Dr Wong, “Our roles in the management level are more on preparedness; to prepare for whatever disasters bring.
“But when Covid-19 came, it was just like a tsunami, so sudden. We were short of beds because of social distancing. We were also worried that if the number continued to increase, we would not have enough ICU (intensive care unit) beds, PPE (personal protective equipment), masks and so on. These are all management issues.
“Initially, we didn’t even have a lab to process the swabs and all were sent to Kuala Lumpur or Kuching, which took up to two weeks to get the results.
“But the good thing about the MCO is that we received a lot of assistance from the community. They came to donate food, drinks, PPE and many other things.
“The biggest gift was a half a million ringgit lab which came complete with equipment to handle Covid-19,” he said.
Dr Wong said Miri Hospital is truly a community hospital where the community returns the favour when help was needed.