COVID-19: NGO launches mobile disinfection chamber in Penang

BALIK PULAU, April 1 -- The Penang Rural Industry Entrepreneur Organisation today unveiled a mobile disinfection chamber, believed to be the first such chamber in the state, through a pilot project launched at the Balik Pulau market, as part of efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

John Ooh Sin Hwa, the secretary-general of the non-governmental organisation (NGO), said the initiative was aimed at providing a free, full body sanitisation service to members of the public who make their way from their homes to the market and back.

"We believe this is the first of its kind in Penang, and perhaps in Malaysia," he told reporters here today.

According to Ooh, the chamber is operated through an automatic system, with sensors to activate and deactivate the disinfectant sprays inside the chamber.

He said the idea of constructing the chamber was inspired by efforts in China, where similar chambers have been used to disinfect the residents there.

"It took us roughly three days to assemble the chamber at a cost of about RM4,000. However, the greatest challenge we faced in this project was acquiring the raw materials to construct it due to the Movement Control Order, with materials being difficult to access and expensive," he said.

Ooh said while there were plans to construct more chambers in other public locations to benefit more people, he expressed the hope that the organisation which was also a non-profit body, would receive more funds and contributions to make the assembly of the additional chambers a reality.

Donations can be directed to the organisation’s Hong Leong Bank account (244-0000-1564), under the name ‘Pertubuhan Usahawan Industri Desa Pulau Pinang'.

-- BERNAMA