Page 10 - Berita Sunway - Issue 74

COVID-19

Driving

Vaccinations in Malaysia

With only RM100 left in his
V role in preparing Malaysians to live with the virus in the long administered up to 100 doses daily until its last day as a V savings, Edmond raised the white flag at
Meanwhile, Sunway Medical Centre Velocity
accinations against COVID-19 will continue to play a vital
his home.
term, as the global pandemic shifts into an endemic phase.
e #benderaputih movement
600 daily doses until winding up operations as a PPV in
According to Malaysian Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, 80% PPV in end-July; Sunway Medical Centre dispensed up to was started by Malaysians in July last year
of the country’s population is expected to be fully vaccinated by end-September. in the spirit of #kitajagakita, to help
end-October 2021. lower income families signal distress to
As of 11 January 2022, about 23.1 million people or 99% of the surrounding community.
Malaysia's adult population had received at least one dose of the vaccine Fuelling the frontline workers “ ere was no end in sight to this
- including 22.8 million individuals who were fully vaccinated, lockdown and I was worried about how I
according to the Ministry of Health's COVIDNOW portal. Like soldiers fighting a long-drawn war, frontline am going to take care of the loan for our
Playing its part in the National COVID-19 Immunisation workers stationed at PPVs have been working tirelessly to Edmond Lasal family home, my ageing parents who
Programme (NCIP), Sunway has sponsored RM28 million for Sunway ensure people receive their vaccinations as quickly and need medication, the utility bills and
Pyramid Convention Centre (SPCC) to be used rent-free by the efficiently as possible. putting food on the table for our meals,”
Ministry of Health (MOH) and Petaling District Health Centre as the In support of frontline workers during this challenging Edmond told Subang Jaya’s local
official vaccination venue (PPV) for the Petaling district. pandemic, Sunway through its various business divisions community paper SJ Echo.
Since March 2020, Sunway has committed almost RM60 million to across the country such as Sunway Lagoon, Sunway Putra Sunway Malls’ general manager of marketing and deputy head
help the country battle the ongoing pandemic, including the provision Mall, Sunway Lost World of Tambun in Perak, and Sunway Carnival A lifeline in dire times of business innovation Loo Hoey een was excited to reach out
of four PPVs spanning close to 200,000 square feet rent-free. Mall in Penang, pooled its resources to ensure nurses, doctors, People’s to Edmond when she heard about his plight, as she had a job opening
Besides SPCC, Sunway has sponsored the use of three other PPVs – Volunteer Corps (RELA) officers, auxiliary police, and volunteers on For individuals like Edmond Lasal, SPCC is more than just a venue to fill.
Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway Specialist Centre Damansara and duty at PPVs across Klang Valley, Perak and Penang receive sufficient for administering vaccinations – it provided a lifeline for him and his Edmond worked as a reward crew at SPCC’s post-vaccination
Sunway Medical Centre Velocity – for the NCIP in 2021. food to fuel themselves for the day. family during this challenging economic period. observation area, attending to the public’s queries, until SPCC ceased
As of end-August last year, Sunway’s PPVs have enabled more than e CSR initiative reached more than 4,800 frontline workers Like many who have lost their livelihoods or have been financially operations as a PPV in end-August.
350,000 vaccinations to be carried out, contributing to the nation’s goal stationed at SPCC, Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur, stricken by the pandemic, the 32-year-old tuition teacher saw his savings “It’s a blessing. We needed help and it came. I am young and
of widespread vaccination coverage. Stadium Indera Mulia PPV in Ipoh, Perak, as well as Seberang Perai slowly erode since March 2020 due to the economy being adversely I am willing to work. I was happy to be going to work after having been
SPCC and Sunway Specialist Centre Damansara administered up to Arena Convention Centre in Penang. impacted by the prolonged Movement Control Order (MCO). redundant for the past month,” Edmond said.
5,500 and 200 doses daily respectively until they ceased PPV duties in Sunway’s founder and chairman Tan Sri Dr. Jeffrey Cheah credited As he continued to help his SPM students despite them not being “We are all here and ever willing to help the community.
end-August. Sunway’s healthcare frontline workers and volunteers for their able to pay him tuition fees, Edmond eventually reached the bottom of We will do what we can, and we are happy that in Edmond’s case,
dedication, hard work and sacrifice in battling the pandemic. the barrel in June last year when he lost his job. we made a difference for him and his family,” said Loo.

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