GEORGETOWN – Since the installation of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) at chosen locations throughout the state in 2015, four people who suffer from heart attacks in public areas have been rescued.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said that there are a total of 66 AED machines had been installed and deployed in selected public areas.
According to him, the public is not encouraged to depend on the AED device all the time because the AED will not be installed in every area in Penang.
“The installation of this AED is very helpful, but don’t expect too much of it because it won’t be installed on every inch of the place. What’s better is, we need to adopt a healthy lifestyle to prevent (risk) a heart attack.”
“In general, about 40 percent of heart attack cases are due to high cholesterol levels which the main factor is the stress of life.”
“Therefore, I request all MPs, State Assemblymen (ADUN), and local leaders to continue implementing the basic emergency procedure of (CPR) education program of using AEDs,”
At the same time, Sungai Pinang assemblyman Lim Siew Khim contributed RM15,000 for the installation of two new AED units for the benefit and needs of the residents in the area.
Meanwhile, Siew Khim said, an AED unit will be installed at Taman Bukit Dumbar, while another unit will be handed over to the Civil Defense Emergency Response Team (CDERT) under Sungai Pinang Village Community Management Council (MPKK).
In 2019, there are 62 AED devices registered under the Penang Heart Safe Program have been placed in public places including the community area, like Komtar; Botanical Gardens, Gurney Promenade, Old Town Field, and many more.
Penang became the first state in Malaysia to install 10 units of AED devices in selected public places in the state to help heart attack victims.
The AED device was launched on September 4, 2015, where the 3rd Floor, Komtar was the first location installed on December 20, 2015.
Source: sinarharian.com.my