ALOR STAR: A “patient” was diagnosed with the deadly Ebola virus prompting Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital to (HSB) request an airlift service.
In less than two hours, a team comprising a doctor and five medical assistants from Sungai Buloh Hospital arrived at HSB in the Fire and Rescue Department’s M994-02 helicopter to transfer the “patient”.
The team moved swiftly to transfer the “patient” in an isolation bubble into the aircraft before flying back to Selangor.
It may have sounded real but the scenario was part of the “Transporting Ebola Patient” drill involving the two hospitals.
It was organised with the cooperation of the Fire and Rescue Department and the police.
HSB director Datuk Dr Juita Ghazali said the drill was carried out to test all the stakeholders preparedness in facing an Ebola threat, which has claimed thousands of lives in West Africa.
“Although our nation has yet to record an Ebola case, it is paramount to ensure that all the relevant agencies are prepared,” she said after the drill session.
Dr Juita said patients who tested positive for Ebola would be transported to three designated hospitals: Sungai Buloh Hospital in Selangor, Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kota Kinabalu in Sabah and General Hospital in Kuching in Sarawak.
According to the World Health Organisation, as of Oct 10, 4,033 people have died from Ebola.
Out of 8,399 registered cases in seven countries, almost all the deaths were in West Africa.
Meanwhile, Perak has carried out screenings on those entering the state via air and land for signs of the Ebola virus since the beginning of this month. The screening at the Sultan Azlan Shah Airport (LTSAS) in Ipoh began last week while screenings at the Pengkalan Hulu checkpoint, in the state’s northernmost town, began early this month.
Perak Health Department director Datuk Dr Nordiyanah Hassan, however, said no Ebola cases have been detected in the state yet.
“We are also carrying out similar screenings on pilgrims who have returned home here after performing the Haj in Mecca. So far, no one has been tested positive for the Ebola virus. The screenings will continue for as long as it takes,” she said at the state-level World Mental Health and Senior Citizens Day here on Wednesday.
The event was graced by state Health Committee chairman Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon.
Dr Nordiyanah said screenings at LTSAS were carried out according to the flight arrivals while screenings at the Pengkalan Hulu checkpoint were carried out throughout its operating hours.
Following the seriousness of the Ebola virus, authorities have enforced stricter screenings and monitoring at all points nationwide to prevent the spread of Ebola. By Zahratulhayat Mat Arif