Sabah, Malaysia 3rd Wave COVID-19 Emergency Hospital Equipment Relief

***More on the current situation as of 12 October here*** :https://codeblue.galencentre.org/2020/10/12/sabah-...

Malaysia has handled the Covid-19 pandemic quite well over the past few months. I was proud that we have managed to do compared to richer and more well-equipped countries.

That changed in the last Sabah state elections, held on 26th September 2020. A tussle for power resulted in a snap election called during this pandemic. More details here:
https://thediplomat.com/2020/09/sabah-heads-to-the...

So much so, that the PM has admitted that the elections caused a spike in cases: https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/10/06...

This has resulted in people forced to go out, migrate between cities to go back to their constituencies to vote. All this during a pandemic never seen by our generation, let alone mankind.

As of 12 October 2020, Sabah has suffered significantly. There has been a current spike in cases, and our medical facilities are struggling to cope:
- https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/546067
- https://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news/159685/qeh-ii...
- https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2020/10/631401/...

After initial feedback, here are some FAQ that has been asked by donors (as of 15th October 2020):

1. How will the donations be handled?
   • Funds collected here will be donated to the Malaysia Medical Association (Sabah). They are working directly with the hospitals and Jabatan Kesihatan Negeri Sabah to procure exactly what is needed by the hospitals, in real time.
   • Through establishing this understanding, we aim to act together to ensure the timeliness of the funds is appropriated accordingly.
     
   • As a result, this donation drive end on Monday 19th October 2020, 12.01am (GMT +8). These funds will then be transferred to MMA Sabah so that the funds can be utilised in the procurement of these equipment as soon as possible .
2. How is this page legitimate?
   • Once the donation to the Malaysia Medical Association (Sabah) has been made, there will be a Certificate of Authenticity the donation made. Once the certificate has been issued, I will send or post, either individually or as a whole, to the donors for their verification.
3. Why is the donations in USD and not MYR?
   • When we first made the page, there was an important note that said the MYR currency was not compatible with the website's e-wallet solution. Based on this, we had to make a decision on how can cater to more potential donors to help with the cause
   • By having this option, we have managed to be more flexible in our approach. As of 15th October 2020, we have received several donations for overseas: including USA, Australia, UK, Singapore, and France. That being said, we apologise for any unintentional confusion caused.
   • IMPORTANT NOTICE: We would like ask our donors kindly donate in either PayPal or online donation. Donations through cash may cause a legitimate proof of funds issue, especially when time is of the essence to get these funds to the necessary personnel.

If you have any other queries, pls do let me know.

We are already among the poorest state in Malaysia, and we do not have the resources to tackle this pandemic at the moment. The USD 440,000 is the total cost of the equipments needed state-wide. These include Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR), Mobile Negative Pressure Isolation Chambers, and High Flow Nasal Cannula Machines.

This whole pandemic is not only a state crisis, but as a challenge for all of us. We ask not only of our brothers and sisters in Sabah, but of Peninsular, Sarawak and WP Labuan as well. Together, we are stronger and more resilient as a nation to overcome this. We need all hands on deck. Let us put away any differences that we may have: regardless of race, religion, social class and perspectives of the world, and put each other first and see us rise above what could be collectively our greatest test as a nation.

"Sometimes the darkest challenges, the most difficult lessons, hold the greatest gems of light". Let us use this opportunity to spark the light for change, and inspire change in others.

To my fellow Sabahans: let us show the world our strength, patience and resilience that has been built through multiple challenges, that we intimately understand what it is like to be a Sabahan. Let us show everyone the strength in our diversity that is we are so blessed to have and must preserve, that we identify as our Sabahan pride. Let us act with urgency, put others ahead of ourselves as a community, and do what is required of us so that we can overcome this situation with haste. If there is a time to be compassionate, reach out our hand and place our faith in each other, the time is right now.

Together, we can make a change.

Buli Bah Kalau Kau.

Thank you for your time. Take care and stay safe.