The world of Tzu Chi April 2020 (Vol.121)

(As of March 31, 2020) O n March 16, 2020, Dr. Ho Gwo Fuang, a clinical oncologist with the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), reiterated the urgency of implementing a two-week nationwide lockdown without further delay in view of the escalating Covid-19 situation, besides urging the Malaysian government to emulate other countries in imposing containment and isolation measures to break the chain of transmission and avoid untoward consequences. Two days later, the MCO was officially declared, extending from the initial two-week duration to a month. During an online fellowship session with the global Tzu Chi community on March 29, Dr. Ho remarked: “ Instead of relying onmedical personnel to stand on the front line in the battle against Covid-19, each and every one of us is responsible in forming the first line of defence. We should play our part in protecting ourselves from the contagion to avoid burdening society and straining the healthcare system even further. The role of medical personnel belongs to the final line of defence, supporting patients in the fight to defeat the virus and reclaim their lives. ” We are all capable of rising to the challenge and uniting for a greater cause, hand in hand. Personal protective equipment • Assembling 110,000 face shields • Manufacturing 1,162 pieces of protective clothing Assistance to Malaysians evacuated fromWuhan • Providing assistance during all three repatriation exercises • Distributing medications, toiletries and essential supplies to 254 returnees • Providing interpreting services Assistance to healthcare institutions • Provisions to 29 hospitals and 914 government-owned and private clinics • Providing approximately 100,000 surgical masks • Providing medical equipment including handheld infrared thermometers, stethoscopes, electrocardiograph machines, pulse oximeters and vital sign monitors • Donating 52 hospital beds to Sungai Buloh Hospital and Tawau Hospital Material assistance and moral support • Preparing a total of 1,340 vegetarian lunch packs to medical personnel • Extending care to over 4,000 underprivileged households • Distributing emergency relief supplies to 1,040 impoverished families Contact Tzu Chi KL & Selangor at 03-6256 3800 should you require assistance during these testing times. We welcome online donations towards our Covid-19 response efforts; visit https://www.tzuchi.my/en/ for details. TZU CHI 121 25 Coming Together in Times of Crisis