New vehicle: The interior of the negative pressure ambulance. — Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry will procure more ambulances with negative pressure features to ferry Covid-19 patients.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba said these negative pressure ambulances were important, especially in locations with a high number of Covid-19 cases.
Equipped with advanced negative pressure equipment, these special ambulances prevent secondary transmission of infectious diseases while transporting infected patients.
“We will begin with the tender for 500 units of this type of ambulance, and for other ambulances, we will use the leasing system according to zones.
“This is so that logistics issues concerning Covid-19 patients can be resolved,” he said at the handover ceremony of the first negative pressure ambulance held at Malaysia Agro Exposition Park (MAEPS) Covid-19 Quarantine and Low-Risk Treatment Centre here yesterday.
The ambulance and two other regular ambulances were handed over by Weststar Group Automotive Division chief executive officer Syed Muhammad Ammar Syed Azman.
Besides having a negative pressure system, the ambulance is also fitted with a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter and ultraviolet lights which provide further protection against infectious diseases, especially airborne ones.
The HEPA filtration system and ultraviolet (UV) work together to clean and disinfect the air, with the filter trapping any pathogens, while the UV light kills them.
The ambulance is equipped with an isolation chamber made from a special thermoplastic polyurethane film, which is strengthened by the insertion of plastic poles along each side of the structure.
Both the ambulance cabin and isolation chamber are also fitted with a safety alarm that alerts medical personnel of any air leakages so they can take remedial action. — Bernama
