Being the first in Malaysia, Karpal Singh Drive in Penang is the first location to be installed with an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) kiosk unit which can provide emergency assistance to “sudden cardiac arrest” victims.

The initiative is a collaboration between Zoll Medical Corporation Asia Pacific and Penang Heart Safe Society (PHSS).

Zoll Asia Pacific has donated the other 42 units to be located in the various districts in the state for emergency use.

On hand to launch the ceremony was Penang Chief Minister, Chow Kon Yewo accompanied by State Exco for Tourism and Creative Economy Yeoh Soon Hin, State Exco for Agriculture, Agro-Based Industry, Rural Development and Health, Dr Norlela Ariffin and assemblywoman for Sungai Pinang, Lim Siew Khim.

Also present was the vice president of Zoll Asia Pacific Christopher Barbanas, chairman of PHSS Datuk Dr Luah Lean Wah, State Health Department deputy director, Dr Nur Aslina and OCPD Timur Laut, ACP Sofian Santong, 

“I would like to thank Zoll Asia Pacific and also congratulate YB Yeoh and PHSS for this project which is the first in the country. This is inline with the state’s “Responsible Tourism” initiative which was launched in July 2020.

“The installation of these kiosks will go a long way to save lives in times of emergency. PHSS has also trained more than 30,000 people on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for this purpose,” said Chow.

He also added that in the long run, visitors and investors will be confident coming to Penang. 

“This will also ensure a “Cleaner, Greener, Safer, Healthier and Happier state,” added Chow..

Yeoh in his address said that some 42 units of the AED kiosks will be set-up soon in all the five districts in the state and another three more units will be presented to the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).

“We want to ensure that visitors to Penang will be confident and safe during their visit here. Another four AED units will also be put up in Taman Botani which will be the first “Heart Safe Park” in Malaysia,” added Yeoh.

According to Dr Luah, each of the AED kiosks cost a total of RM15,000, being RM8,000 for the AED unit and RM7,000 for the set-up of the kiosk.