PENANG, 10 August 2020 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) took another step forward with the launch of two facilities in further improving the quality of delivery of health services to the university community at the Main campus, namely the Pharmacy Drive-Through Counter and the Isolation Cubicle at the USM Pusat Sejahtera (Health Centre).

The facilities were launched by the USM Registrar, Dr. Musa Ali on 7 August.

The Director of USM Pusat Sejahtera, Dr. Normala Abdul Wahid in her welcoming speech said that, services offered to patients at Pusat Sejahtera would be facilitated and would be more efficient by having the two facilities. 

“By having a drive-through counter, patients no longer need to enter buildings, no longer need to look for parking spaces, and need not experience long waiting hours to obtain their continued medication, at the same time reducing risks of immediate infections while waiting at the dispensary,” she said.

She extended her thanks to the USM Centre for Innovation and Productivity in Public Administration (PIPPA) in contributing the drive-through counter and to Dr. Musa Ali in providing the funds for the purchase of basic items needed to prepare the personal protection equipment (PPE), in addition to the cooperation and a high spirit of volunteerism among members of USM Kelab Jasa Budi (retirees club) for producing 243 gowns, 385 face covers and 332 shoe covers to be used by the frontliners at Pusat Sejahtera. 

“Furthermore, development of the Isolation Cubicle was timely and appropriate to prevent the spread of the infection to the doctors and paramedics who serve as frontliners in assessing patients having Covid-19 symptoms.

“On behalf of Pusat Sejahtera, I am truly grateful to the USM Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Professor Dato’ Ir. Dr. Abdul Rahman Mohamed on the contribution.

“The development of the Isolation Cubicle would not be possible as well without the innovation and great commitment from Associate Professor Ir. Dr. Ahmad Baharuddin Abdullah, together with his research team members and lecturers from the USM School of Mechanical Engineering at the USM Engineering Campus,” she said further.

Dr. Normala also extended her thanks to the Dean of the USM School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Professor Ir. Dr. Mohd. Fadzil Ain and his team for producing and contributing automatic thermometers to scan patients’ body temperatures prior to administering treatment at the Pusat Sejahtera and also at the building where students are quarantined. 

The USM School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering also contributed wash basins and hands-free automatic soap dispensers which have greatly facilitated the personnel at Pusat Sejahtera to do their duties while minimising the risks of infection.

Added Dr. Normala, since the spread of Covid-19 began, Pusat Sejahtera has also attempted and introduced a few additional value-added services and facilities to the USM campus community and retirees.

“Among them, we have introduced the consultation service by phone to minimise the risk of infection, where a patient can call and have a consultation session with the doctor without needing to come to Pusat Sejahtera.  

“I believe that the USM Pusat Sejahtera will continue to remain as a truly relevant centre that is respected and to provide services to those in need,” she added.

Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin