Melaka Allocates Over RM400,000 To Implement ‘One Local Authority, One Ambulance’ Initiative

MELAKA, April 28 (Bernama) -- The Melaka government, through four local authorities in the state, has allocated RM484,072 for the implementation of the ‘One Local Authority, One Ambulance’ initiative to strengthen emergency services system.

Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh said the initiative involves collaboration with the Melaka Historic City Council (MBMB), Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council (MPHTJ), Alor Gajah Municipal Council (MPAG) and Jasin Municipal Council (MPJ), St John Ambulance (SJAM) and Malaysia Civil Defence Force (APM).

Implemented under the Melaka Sayang Rakyat (MeSRa) agenda, he said each local authorities will provide an ambulance to be managed by SJAM and APM, and the ambulances will be deployed according to four operational zones under the participating councils.

“This initiative is a proactive effort by the state government to ensure that every PBT area has access to faster and more efficient ambulance services,” he told reporters after the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between the four local councils and SJAM and APM here today. 

He said based on current records, between 160 and 180 emergency calls requiring ambulance services are received each month in Melaka.

Ab Rauf said that the ‘One Local Authority, One Ambulance’ initiative is also supported by the Community Paramedic (Parakom) volunteers, established earlier by the state government to enhance service delivery, while one of the four ambulances is specially designed for obese patients weighing up to 350 kilogrammes. 

“Each year, the state government will seek to further enhance the ‘One Local Authority, One Ambulance’ initiative by adding two ambulances for SJAM and APM,” he said. 

He said the state government has also received 10 Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) from SJAM as part of efforts to strengthen early emergency response, particularly for cardiac arrest cases at the community level. 

According to him, two AED units will be placed at the Chief Minister’s Office, while the four local authorities in the state will each receive two units of the devices. 

The MoU signing ceremony involved MBMB Mayor Datuk Shadan Othman, MPHTJ President Datuk Sapiah Haron, MPAG President Datuk Saifuddin Abdul Karim, MPJ President Muhammad Zahiruddin Mohd Zahari, SJAM Commander-in-Chief Datuk Lai See Ming and Melaka APM Director Lt Col (PA) Kamarulsyah Muslim.

-- BERNAMA