MMA aims to raise more funds for Covid-19 relief work in Perak

Dr M. Premananda Raja (second left) presenting the PPE to state Health Department director Datuk Dr Ding Lay Ming. Looking on is MMA committee member Dr Farah Aishah Hamdan (left) and the department’s deputy director (Pharmacy Section) Zaiton Kamarruddin. (Right)

IPOH: The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) Perak branch, which launched a Covid-19 fund last month, needs to raise more money to cope with the rising cases.

Its chairman Dr M. Premananda Raja said the money would help them buy healthcare equipment, medical supplies, personal protective equipment (PPE), and other Covid-19-related relief efforts in the state.

Dr Premananda, a neurosurgeon at Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital, said the MMA welcomed help from members of the public as well as the private sector in its fundraising efforts.

“We have been helping to provide the state Health Department with equipment from the funds raised, and we want to continue doing so with the daily increase in Covid-19 cases now.

“When the fund was set up, cases were still comparatively low, but now the numbers are alarming and we need to help ensure that medical frontliners are well protected,” he told reporters after presenting 2,000 sets of PPE to state Health director Datuk Dr Ding Lay Ming here on Friday (Aug 6).

Also present was MMA Perak committee member Dr Farah Aishah Hamdan, and state Health Dept deputy director (Pharmacy Section) Zaiton Kamarruddin.

“I appreciate MMA's kind gesture to help fight the battle, and to protect doctors and other medical personnel,” Dr Ding said.

Dr Premananda said the PPE was produced in collaboration with Eadeco Sdn Bhd, a Perak-based textile manufacturing company that provided stitching services for free.

The non-woven fabric used in the PPE cost RM7,140, he added.

“On June 18, MMA Perak also contributed RM59,560 worth of PPE to the department.

“This latest contribution is timely, just after Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah’s statement that there has been an increase in Covid-19 cases in Perak recently, especially the Category Four and Five patients that have to be warded in the intensive care unit.

“With Dr Noor Hisham stating that Perak is expected to see a sharp increase in the next two to three weeks, this in turn will increase demand for PPE, healthcare equipment and supplies," he added.

Dr Premananda said donations could be made directly to “MMA Foundation-Covid 19” via online bank transfer to United Overseas Bank under the account number 2403035957.

He said donations above RM100 are tax-exempted, and requested donors not to make donations via cash deposits, as they needed to keep a record.