(From left) Lau has a discussion with Dr Annuar. Also seen are Dr Tang, Stanley, and Collin.
SIBU (June 21): Rejang Medical Center’s (RMC) vaccination capacity at the Sibu Civic Centre vaccination centre (PPV) may be further increased if the need arises.
Sibu Divisional Disaster Management Committee (SDDMC) coordinator Dr Annuar Rapaee said RMC – the first private medical facility here to utilise a designated venue approved by the Ministry of Health — has the capacity to vaccinate 1,200 recipients per day.
“I was informed that within two hours, they (RMC) have vaccinated nearly 400 people. They can increase their capacity to 1,200 doses per day.
“We will work out because what is important, we want to vaccinate as many people as possible. We will observe how things go and will apply for the capacity to be further increased if needed,” the Assistant Minister of Local Government and Housing told reporters after visiting the PPV, which began operations today.
RMC had moved its vaccination programme to the civic centre to vaccinate more people.
“On behalf of the government, I would like to thank RMC for their smooth managing of the PPV in Sibu Civic Centre,” said Dr Annuar.
He said the PPV may also extend its operating hours from the present 8am to 5pm on weekdays.
“I have discussed with them, perhaps other teams may come in after 5pm or during weekends,” Dr Annuar suggested, adding that the PPV at the civic centre would operate until August.
As for the proposed PPV at University College of Technology Sarawak (UCTS), he said SDDMC is still waiting for approval from the Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force (CITF).
“CITF has given approval for the PPV in UCTS to be handled by Segi medical school and it is a matter of approval of the site.
“I think this is not a problem since there is already a provider,” he noted.
He said there are currently six static PPVs here — indoor stadium, civic centre, KPJ Medical Centre, community hall in Sibujaya, Lanang Health Clinic, and Sibujaya Health Clinic.
On mobile vaccination teams, he said Sibu, Selangau, and Kanowit are provided with the service.
Additionally, he said the mobile teams will complete vaccinating 1,688 longhouse residents from the 31 longhouses in Nangka state constituency within three days.
As for the PPV in Lakis hall, he said it will be handled by the army and will commence operations tomorrow (Wednesday).
Dr Annuar said mobile teams in Selangau and Kanowit had succeeded in speeding up the vaccination process.
“After they’ve completed their tasks in the two districts, I will apply to DHO (Divisional Health Office) for them to be deployed to Sibu,” he said.
Among those present were RMC CEO Dr John Tang and general manager Anne Lau, as well as Sibu police chief ACP Stanley Jonathan Ringgit and Sibu deputy police chief Superintendent Collin Babat.