The world of Tzu Chi September-October 2021 (Vol.137)

TZU CHI 137 29 I n lateMay 2021, the number of daily Covid-19 cases in Malaysia doubled in just two weeks and breached the 8,000-mark. The medical system was strained with an increasing number of critically ill patients awaiting admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). As the pandemic raged on, Tzu Chi KL & Selangor promptly launched the third wave of medical support, proactively contacting major medical institutions to assess their needs. By September 19, Tzu Chi had rendered support to 51 medical institutions across Malaysia, through the provision of medical equipment and supplies worth over RM20 million in total. During this period, and despite their hectic schedules, the medical frontliners liaised closely with Tzu Chi on the acquisition of medical equipment and supplies. Both parties had the same goal in mind—to save lives. On August 28, Tzu Chi KL & Selangor had an online sharing session with Master Cheng Yen. Three frontliners were also invited to share their experiences in fighting Covid-19 with the Master. Every life is precious On June 23, the Government converted Ampang Hospital in Kuala Lumpur from a hybrid Covid-19 to a full Covid-19 hospital. Following that, the number of infected patients admitted to the hospital increased from over 100 to a peak of 700. In the past two months, Tzu Chi responded by donating much-needed medical equipment and supplies, such as, hospital beds, ICU ventilators, vital signs monitors and high-flow nasal cannulas to the hospital. Dr. Ong Tee Chuan, a clinical haematologist, who served as the liaison betweenAmpang Hospital and Tzu Chi remarked, “All these devices are critical. Besides saving lives, they reduce the workload of medical staff and help us to work more efficiently.” Faced with an urgent need for help, the hospital approached Tzu Chi for medical equipment for premature babies as intubated pregnant women required emergency caesarean section. Dr. Ong shared that his experience with Tzu Chi has been a pleasant one. He acknowledged Tzu Chi’s contribution in supporting the medical system, highlighting three important features: Firstly, Tzu Chi demonstrated a very high level of efficiency. Secondly, Tzu Chi showed an accurate understanding of the hospital’s needs prior to purchases and spent its donations only on the most essential. Thirdly, Tzu Chi prioritized life above all else. Dr. Ong shared that some organizations donated equipment that did not meet the required specifications as they did not consult the hospital in advance. Thus, resulting in unnecessary wastage. “This is a barrier that many organizations have yet to overcome,” he said. Timely help saves the day Chancellor Tuanku Muhriz UKM Hospital in Bangi, Selangor, is a research-cum- teaching university hospital. The pandemic has also necessitated the admission of Covid-19 patients to the hospital. Associate Professor Dr. Tan Toh Leong from the Department of Emergency Medicine was the liaison between the hospital and Tzu Chi. He shared, “When the pandemic broke out in March last year, hospitals admitted an average of five to six Covid-19 patients a month. However, during the third Movement Control Order (MCO 3.0), every hospital admitted 50 to 100 Covid-19 patients a day.”