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Crowdfunding for Sabah medical supplies raises nearly RM300,000

Former Chief Justice Tan Sri Richard Malanjum’s mood has improved. Why? Because one mobile negative pressure isolation chamber he helped to crowdfund arrived in Sabah on Friday.

Malanjum and several prominent Sabahans have been collecting funds for much-needed medical supplies, as reported by Twentytwo13 on Oct 12.

Sabah hospitals are overwhelmed by the spike in Covid-19 cases. Close to 100 medical personnel have been infected by the coronavirus.

“The chamber arrived on Friday night and was delivered to Likas Hospital yesterday,” said Malanjum.

“Not only did we collect the RM130,000 for the mobile negative pressure isolation chamber, but we also collected enough to buy 20 units of powered air-purifying respirators (PAPR). These will be delivered on Monday.”

Each PAPR costs RM8,000 meaning Malanjum and friends raised close to RM300,000.

Malanjum said they are still raising funds to get at least another mobile negative pressure isolation chamber and 40 more PAPR.

“The next chamber will be for Queen Elizabeth II Hospital,” said Malanjum.

“We need more of such chambers, but for now we aim to get one for the hospital.”

He added those in Kuala Lumpur can raise funds on their own to buy the items and he will help with the transportation.

Those interested in helping can send their donations to Maybank account: 560148701926.

Last month, Twentytwo13 ran a story about how doctors in Sabah feared the worst as they braced for more Covid-19 cases.

On Friday, figures released by the Health Ministry showed that the number of regular beds in Sabah as of Thursday has increased to 1,045, which is 76 per cent of the available beds in the state.

The ministry also revealed 70 per cent of the 122 ICU beds allocated for Covid-19 cases in nine hospitals have been filled.