Known as the Home Covid Care initiative, the NGO’s medical director Dr Simeran Kaur said its goal was to help patients manage their post-Covid-19 symptoms, especially those that still require breathing aid or blood oxygen level monitoring devices.
“This initiative started when United Sikhs recognised the dire need for oxygen concentrators as hospital beds were full and Covid-19 cases were rising, so our organisation decided to help the hospitals and the general public,” she told FMT adding that oxygen concentrators are lent to patients for two weeks.
Simeran said in the past few weeks, demand for these oxygen concentrators had increased with up to 400 calls a day as more Covid-19 patients have been asked to quarantine at home.
“The oxygen concentrators are mostly purchased from our local manufacturer. But they will first be brought back to our headquarters for a thorough check.
“Those who need an oxygen concentrator will need a doctor’s letter before our team of volunteers can deliver the item to your home,” she said.
According to Simeran, the organisation has around 400 volunteers throughout Malaysia and they were all dedicated to helping despite most of them having their own jobs.
“All our volunteers are very dedicated and they do this out of love and compassion to serve our fellow Malaysians because they care. Just looking at them working so hard, makes me feel so happy and proud to be part of this organisation,” she said.
Simeran added that the organisation has procured more than 150 oxygen concentrators since the initiative began and hoped to purchase 50 or more to help more families.
“To help each family, it’s usually about RM 3,750 as the oxygen concentrator costs RM3,600, while RM50 is for the pulse oximeter and the other RM100 is for food rations which we provide to the families.
“These oxygen concentrators will mean the world to them as it would help them breathe properly,” she said.
Simeran stressed that the organisation’s mission was to recognise the human race as one and, therefore, anyone who is in need of an oxygen concentrator could receive one irrespective of their race, religion or creed.
“Whatever walk of life you come from, whatever race you are, if you need an oxygen concentrator, do reach out to us and we will try our best to get back to you as soon as we can,” she said.
Those who wish to donate to the good cause can contribute directly to United Sikhs Malaysia’s CIMB Account number 8007556724. Please WhatsApp bank slip to 012-2140515 or email to [email protected] for official receipts.
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