Penang Health Dept installs 168 automated external defibrillators

GEORGE TOWN: The state Health Department has installed a total of 168 automated external defibrillators (AED).

State health committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen (PH- Padang Lalang) said local councils, Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and Seberang Prai City Council (MBSP) also had installed 21 of the machines (three on the mainland and 18 on the island).

“Under the management of Penang Heart Safe Society, NGOs have installed about 200 AEDs so far,” he said at the state assembly in a reply to a question from Joseph Ng Soon Siang (PH-Air Itam) on Tuesday (Nov 28).

He said another 45 units of AEDs would be installed in the near future.

Gooi said the installation and placement of AED machines followed priorities and guidelines based on response time, incidence rate, high-risk activities and areas with high population density.

He said currently a total of 48 AEDs are being installed by MBPP at several locations on the island.

Among the areas were public markets, government health clinics and state government offices.

He said the Penang CPR-AED Committee was established on Nov 14, 2023, under the state health committee to examine and formulate policies closely related to the effectiveness of AED installation in the state.

He said among the aspects that would be monitored by the committee were reviewing the installation locations of AEDs to ensure effective coverage and widespread distribution of AED devices.

“This committee will also ensure that the training for AED and CPR is standardised according to guidelines for all training programs conducted for the general public,” he said.

He added that the committee would also recognise certified AED equipment suppliers and ensure that there was post-sales training and after-sales service for each installed AED device.