PETALING JAYA: The MCA Crisis Relief Squad of Malaysia (CRSM) is launching an emergency fundraiser for medical equipment through the GoCare crowdfunding platform to ease the pressure on local hospitals in Penang, which is facing a spike in the number of Covid-19 cases.

       It is targeting to raise RM90,000 for the hospitals, which are facing a shortage of medical equipment.

       So far, GoCare has procured six oxygen concentrators, 30 disinfection guns, 30 oxygen cylinders, 1,600 boxes of medical masks, four tents, 1,500 hazmat suits, and 30 medical thermometers for six hospitals in Penang.

       On Friday (Sept 10), GoCare handed six boxes of hazmat suits, 12 boxes of masks, disinfection guns, disinfectant, 100 boxes of dry rations and shower gel to the Penang CRSM for four Covid-19 facilities in the state.

       CRSM Penang secretary Lenny Chan said they were hoping to raise another RM90,000 worth of medical supplies to relieve the pressure on local Covid-19 facilities.

       "Just two days ago, the number of cases in Penang reached 2,400. The hospitals need help," he told reporters on Friday.

       Chan said there are six hospitals specialising in treating Covid-19 in Penang - Pulau Pinang Hospital, Seberang Jaya Hospital, Bukit Mertajam Hospital, Hospital Balik Pulau, Hospital Sungai Bakap, and Kepala Batas Hospital.

       GoCare project manager Xilas Ngang said that while some states seemed to be improving because of the high vaccination rates, the situation in some states such as Penang seemed to be worsening.

       GoCare has also organised the #BeMYHero programme to help families in need of groceries, in collaboration with CRSM branches nationwide.

       He said that both CRSM and GoCare will continue to raise medical supplies for states with growing Covid-19 numbers, and hoped that the public and businesses could make donations to them.

       "If we work together for the country, we can win the battle," he said.

       For more information about the GoCare emergency fundraiser for medical supplies, log on to gocare.org.my/product/penang-covid-hospital/ or contact the GoCare hotline at 019-668 6278.