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Medical aid deployed to Penang to treat Covid-19 patients

GEORGE TOWN: The Health Ministry has started mobilising medical staff to Penang from other states to assist in treating the surge in Covid-19 patients.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said this was informed to him by Health deputy director-general (Public Health) Datuk Dr Chong Chee Kheong during a meeting yesterday.

During a visit on Sept 11, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin had announced that 200 medical officers, assistants and nurses would be mobilised to Penang from other states to assist in treating Covid-19 patients.

He had said Penang faced a shortage of nurses, which prompted their mobilisation from other states to help out.

"During the meeting yesterday, I was also told that the ministry had mobilised experts and human resources to help the state Health Department in facing the surge in Covid-19 cases in the state," he said today.

Chow said several other matters were also discussed during the meeting followed by issues which had been agreed upon during Khairy's visit here.

He said among them was the construction of a 100-bed field hospital at the Penang Hospital to treat Covid-19 patients, which is currently in the construction stage and expected to be operational soon.

Meanwhile, Chow said Dr Chong also told him that discussions between the ministry and representatives from private hospitals to increase medical facility capacity in the state had started.

"I am glad that the private hospitals have stated their willingness to cooperate.

"As such, on behalf of the Penang government, I want to thank Dr Chong and his team for their readiness to provide the necessary instructions and advice to the state Health Department to restore the situation arising from the spread of Covid-19," he added.

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