This was to help the ministry overcome the shortage of existing ambulances in the Klang Valley while it finalises the procurement of 460 ambulances through an open tender.

He said the ministry was also modifying vans, including outfitting them with some medical equipment and oxygen cylinders to enable the vans to be used to transport patients to Covid-19 quarantine and low-risk treatment centres, and hospitals.

“It is hoped that the move would help to save more lives and reduce the number of cases that are brought in dead (BID),” he said in a media conference on the latest Covid-19 developments here yesterday.

Also present were health minister Dr Adham Baba, health director-general Dr Noor Hisham, deputy Health director-general Dr Chong Chee Kheong, and Selangor health department director Dr Sha’ari Ngadiman.

Shafiq said the ministry had also approved RM39 million to purchase 12,873 boxes of Baricitinib medication.

“The ministry will also request the finance ministry for an additional allocation of RM50 million to procure the medicine and other medication for Covid-19 treatment, including Tocilizumab, Methylprednisolone injections, and Enoxaparin,” he said.

Shafiq said to ensure adequate oxygen supply, the ministry was arranging the construction of four bulk oxygen tanks at Hospital Selayang and Hospital Kajang, which will be completed soon, for the use of Covid-19 patients.

Also, he said the outsourcing of services to transfer non-Covid-19 patients to private hospitals has reduced the waiting time for patients to receive treatment and enable categories three, four and five Covid-19 patients to be treated at public hospitals.

“A total of 1,310 patients were treated at public hospitals around the Greater Klang Valley between July 5 to Aug 10,” he said.

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