KOTA BARU, KELANTAN, 20 August 2021 -- Persatuan Alumni Doktor Universiti Sains Malaysia or PADU recently initiated a fund-raising drive to purchase COVID-19 medical equipment and breathing machines in its effort to assist hospitals nationwide, especially those around the Klang Valley that are in need of such equipment in dealing with COVID-19 critical patients.

According to its President, Professor Dato’ Dr. Jafri Malin Abdullah, we hope to collect around RM268,000 to purchase such equipment and machines to meet the immediate needs of hospitals in the country, in view of the ever increasing number of COVID-19 patients at the hospitals, especially those who need emergency treatment.

“Among the medical equipment identified include the high flow nasal system, patient monitors, portable ultrasound, HEPA machines and air sterilizers.

“As USM alumni medical doctors, we have the ability to come together as an association to provide support in direct, tangible ways, and we believe that with such support we can make a significant and meaningful impact to help alleviate some of the challenges faced by the hospitals in treating the COVID-19 patients,” he said.  

Jafri Malin added that, in PADU’s fund drive last March, they managed to collect RM100,000, that was used to purchase medical equipment, namely 11 sets of 'Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Therapy (CPAP)' helmets and five 'Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP)' helmets, which have been sent to six hospitals in the country.

Apart from the donation drive, he said PADU with the help of several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) also distributed Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to nearly 20 hospitals in the country.

“Since the latest fund drive was launched by the association a week ago, donations have been pouring in from the public and on behalf of PADU, I would like to thank each and everyone for their kindness, generosity and support.

“PADU welcomes the public to continue donating to the fund to assist patients, especially those who need breathing machines in their battle against the coronavirus infection,” he added.

Donations can be made to PADU's bank account 03018010143411 at Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad with the name Persatuan Alumni Doktor USM (PADU).

Text: Tan Ewe Hoe