UUM IHE ‘OUTREACH’ VACCINATION CENTRE OPENS ITS DOORS IN EFFORTS TO SPEED UP THE VACCINATION PROCESS

UUM ONLINE: The Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) Institution of Higher Education (IHE) ‘Outreach’ Vaccination Centre is aiming to provide 2,500 doses of COVID-19 vaccine per day to help speed up the vaccination process of the populace, particularly in the Kubang Pasu district.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dato' Dr. Ahmad Bashawir Abdul Ghani, stated that the UUM IHE 'Outreach' Vaccination Centre, which is supported by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) and the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) will only be open on 7, 13 and 14 August as well as three more days for the second dose or when directed by the government.

According to him, in order to ensure the success of the National COVID-19 Immunization Programme (PICK), the UUM IHE ‘Outreach' Vaccination Centre will operate at UUM Mu'adzam Shah Hall, which has a capacity of 2,500 recipients every day.

Aside from that, he said, UUM enlisted the assistance of staff from the University Health Centre (PKU), the University Security Department, and volunteers made up of UUM staff and students, as well as MOH health staff who provided other technical facilities, to ensure a smooth flow of the vaccination process.

“With a team of 70 MOH clinical staff, assisted by staff from the University Health Centre, other UUM departments, and NGO volunteers, we are optimistic that we will be able to administer the vaccine for three days during the months of August and October.

"In fact, if authorised to expand the administration of 3500 doses each day, UUM is ready to assist the MOH, particularly the Kedah state government, in the future vaccination process," he said.

He emphasised the uniqueness of the UUM IHE 'Outreach' Vaccination Centre, which is themed 'Cyntok Bhatik' and includes a photo booth with batik motifs. Aside from that, staff and volunteers on duty wore clothing with cultural art characteristics such as batik, headgear (dastar), and Kedah baju. At the vaccination centre, cultural and educational videos were also shown.

Furthermore, the Vice-Chancellor expressed hope that the opening of the UUM IHE 'Outreach' Vaccination Centre will promptly contribute to the government's efforts to achieve herd immunity throughout the country while also assisting the Kedah state government in implementing the vaccination process through 'outreach' in all areas.

Meanwhile, Kedah Menteri Besar, Yang Amat Berhormat Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor and Halimaton Shaadiah Saad, State Assemblyman of Bukit Kayu Hitam, were there to visit the UUM IHE ‘Outreach' Vaccination Centre.

Fellow vaccination recipient, Mr. Ahmad Radzuan Ramali from Jitra said, the launching of the Vaccination Centre at UUM was very convenient and would undoubtedly speed up the process of administering vaccines to the people, particularly those in Kubang Pasu.

According to him, he was pleased with the services offered by UUM, especially the staff's friendliness and helpfulness, as well as the efficiency with which vaccinations were administered.

Mr. Ahmad Radzuan of Jitra, who was wheelchair-bound owing to diabetes, was joined by his son, Mr. Amiruddin Khairi, received his first dose of vaccine.