By AZALEA AZUAR / Pic by BERNAMA

Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur (KL) has been transformed into a centre for Covid-19 vaccinations.

Phase one of its vaccination programme begins today, where it underwent extensive preparation in setting up the vaccination centre for more than 2,500 private healthcare frontliners.

The vaccinators will be assigned to assist the government healthcare officials throughout the entire vaccination process. 

To ensure social distancing and adherence to the standard operating procedures, the thousands of medical frontliners will be scheduled for vaccination in small groups.

Pantai Hospital KL is part of IHH Healthcare Malaysia’s network of 16 hospitals, including Gleneagles Hospitals and Prince Court Medical Centre.

According to IHH CEO Jean-François Naa, once the next phase of vaccination begins, IHH  would be more than ready to deploy its network of hospitals to assist the Health Ministry (MOH) with vaccination for the public.

“We are grateful to the MOH for entrusting us with the vaccination programme. I fully encourage everyone to be vaccinated so that we can all get out of this crisis sooner,” he said.

Ten Pantai Hospital KL nurses were given their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccines at a government clinic last week, as they have been selected as vaccinators.

Pantai Hospital KL CEO Erica Lam said the hospital is honoured to receive this responsibility from the MOH and aim to support the government in any way possible to serve the people.

“Ten of our nurses have been vaccinated and are ready to serve as vaccinators,” she said.

One of the nurses is 37-year-old Jayaletchumy Arumugam who has served at the hospital for 18 years.

She volunteered as a vaccinator because she wanted to be a good example among her peers in the healthcare industry.

“Since the start of the pandemic, we have practised physical distancing, increased to personal hygiene, used personal protective equipment; yet one piece of the puzzle was still missing. And now it is finally complete. This vaccine is something that we have been waiting for,” she said.

Muhammad Fikrey Nordin, a 27-year-old nurse was also happy to get vaccinated early. 

“When I was informed of the vaccination programme, I volunteered immediately because I know this is a crucial moment for our country.

“I did not feel anything except mild numbness just like any other vaccines I have taken before,” he said.