Melaka Allocates RM500,000 For Community Paramedic Initiative

MELAKA, Dec 3 (Bernama) -- The Melaka government has allocated RM500,000 to procure equipment, medicines, and attire for the Melaka Community Paramedic (Parakom) volunteers.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh said preparations were expected to be completed before February next year, with a target of mobilising 1,000 Parakom volunteers across the state to assist those in need.

"Three paramedics will be stationed in each village to provide initial emergency assistance or health support to the community.

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"This initiative by the state government aims to enhance the healthcare sector while addressing the needs of villagers requiring free healthcare services," he told reporters today.

He was speaking after officiating the ceremony to handover appointment letters to members of the Village Development and Security Committee (JPKK) for the 2023-2025 term and the establishment of Melaka's Civil Defence Auxiliary Emergency Response Team (CDA-ERT), attended by Malaysian Civil Defence Force (MCDF) Chief Commissioner Datuk Aminurrahim Mohamed.

Ab Rauf noted that 850 individuals had joined Parakom, receiving training from the Ministry of Health and certification to handle initial emergency cases.

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Additionally, each District Development and Coordination Committee Office (Japerun) will be equipped with an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to assist residents experiencing cardiac emergencies.

In another development, he said the Federal government had agreed to provide incentives to support Melaka in implementing the ‘Kampung Digital’ initiative, expected to be fully operational by year-end.

Among the incentives is free identification card replacement, as the initiative involves updating addresses with a more complete and systematic format for each village residence.

"We presented the Kampung Digital initiative to the Federal government, and they agreed to assist Melaka in modernising these villages.

"This is the country's first pilot project to modernise 623 villages in Melaka, aiming to enhance social, economic, and technological development among rural residents," he explained.

Under the Kampung Digital initiative, each house will have a QR code, and the technology will also be used to tag livestock such as cattle and goats, enabling better management and control of the animals.

-- BERNAMA