16.04.2021

MEDIA RELEASE

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, April 16, 2021 - The Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) and Pfizer Malaysia signed a memorandum of understanding today, to help increase psychosocial support for Malaysians dealing with challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The collaboration between MRCS and Pfizer Malaysia will also focus on health screening and awareness programmes targeted at the B40 community in Malaysia. The programs include three mediums: the “Redcrescent4u Careline”, mobilizing volunteers to remote areas of Malaysia through the “Care-A-Van x MyVac” program and health webinars.

The event also saw the unveiling of refreshed branding of Pfizer’s 22-year old Care-A-Van programme, by YB Dato’ Sri Dr. Adham Baba, Minister of Health, Malaysia. Care-A-Van (CAV) is a mobile health screening programme which was established by Pfizer in support of the government’s efforts to deal with the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases. CAV will also expand its support on education and awareness programmes on breast health, mental health, and disease prevention.

“The support of the Ministry’s MyVac efforts by the vibrant Pfizer Care-A-Van volunteer program is notable, particularly as the outreach of the health screening services and health education is meant for underserved and underprivileged communities. This is one of the most critical areas of healthcare provision during this pandemic, in which the Ministry of Health welcomes deeper collaboration,” said YB Dato’ Sri Dr. Adham Baba at the launch of the Pfizer Care-A-Van’s new look and purpose. 

The “RedCrescent4u Careline” will operate daily from 8am to 6pm, providing support to individuals who seek psychological support and information on COVID-19 and vaccination. Meanwhile the “Care-A-Van x MyVac” program will mobilize CAV volunteers to rural areas of Malaysia for the purpose of health screening, vaccination assistance and awareness programmes. MRCS and Pfizer Malaysia will also collaborate on online health workshops for the public, providing expert insights to the public on disease awareness and prevention, including COVID-19 and vaccination. 

“I am proud to see our Pfizer Care-A-Van program take the next step in fulfilling the unmet needs of the population. In the two decades that Care-A-Van has been bringing healthcare awareness and services to underserved and underprivileged Malaysians, we have touched more than 156,000 lives across 800 locations. This partnership with MRCS furthers our reach and impact to all Malaysians, particularly during this critical time, allowing us to showcase how Pfizer truly makes a difference by ‘Caring for Malaysia’,” added Luksanawan Thangpaibool, Country Manager for Pfizer Malaysia.

According to National Health and Morbidity Survey 2019 from National Institute of Health, almost half a million Malaysians experience symptoms of depression. The data from the report indicate that 1.7% have General Anxiety Disorder, 1.8% are depressed, 1.7% have suicidal thoughts and 1.1% have suicide attempts . Mental health concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic have increased with bereavement, isolation, loss of income, and fear triggering mental health conditions or exacerbating existing ones.  

“Understanding the importance of the mental health burden in Malaysia especially during the pandemic, MRCS is looking to step up our role as one of the leading humanitarian agencies in Malaysia for providing quality Mental Health PsychoSocial Support (MHPSS) services. The long-term goal of this strategic direction is to make quality MHPSS services widely available and accessible, especially in disaster-affected regions in Malaysia,” said Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz, MRCS National Chairperson.

The Malaysian Red Crescent Society, also known as the Malaysian Red Crescent is a non-profit humanitarian organization, dedicated to voluntary service providing care and relief assistance to the needy and vulnerable communities. It provides a wide range of activities and services, from disaster response and relief; the 24hr emergency ambulance service; community, health and welfare services; to first-aid and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training programmes to the general public at large. Established by an Act of Parliament, the Society carries out its auxiliary role to support and assist the Government in times of peace and crisis situations. 

The MRCS National Headquarters is based in Kuala Lumpur with 16 State branches and 152 District chapters supporting its operations throughout the country.  On a global setting, the MRCS is an active Member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and works hand-in-hand with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) as one of the 192 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies dedicated to humanitarian services.

At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to bring therapies to people that extend and significantly improve their lives. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacture of health care products, including innovative medicines and vaccines. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as one of the world's premier innovative biopharmaceutical companies, we collaborate with health care providers, governments and local communities to support and expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. For more than 170 years, we have worked to make a difference for all who rely on us. We routinely post information that may be important to investors on our website at www.Pfizer.com. In addition, to learn more, please visit us on www.Pfizer.com and follow us on Twitter at @Pfizer and @Pfizer News, LinkedIn, YouTube and like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/Pfizer.

Muhsinin Zainuddin                               Jacinta Albert                                                               
+6013 389 0865                                      +6016 330 4425                                   
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KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA [16 APRIL 2021] - Persatuan Bulan Sabit Merah Malaysia (PBSMM) dan Pfizer Malaysia telah menandatangani memorandum persefahaman pada hari ini bagi membantu meningkatkan sokongan psikososial kepada rakyat Malaysia yang menghadapi cabaran menangani pandemic COVID-19. Kerjasama ini juga akan memfokuskan kepada pemeriksaan kesihatan, dan program kesedaran yang menyasarkan golongan B40 di Malaysia. Program ini mengandungi 3 medium: Talian “RedCrescent4u Careline”, menggerakkan sukarelawan ke kawasan terpencil melalui “Care-A-Van x MyVac” dan webinar kesihatan.

Acara ini juga menyaksikan pelancaran penjenamaan semula program Care-A-Van yang telah berusia 22 tahun oleh Menteri Kesihatan Malaysia, YB Dato’ Seri Dr Adham Baba. Care-A-Van (CAV) adalah program pemeriksaan kesihatan bergerak yang dilaksanakan oleh Pfizer untuk mendokong usaha kerajaan dalam mengekang penularan penyakit berjangkit. CAV juga akan memperluas peranannya untuk menjalankan program kesedaran terhadap kanser payu dara, kesihatan mental dan pencegahan penyakit.

“Sokongan padu Care-A-Van di dalam program sukarelawan MyVac adalah sangat penting kerana program Care-A-Van mempunyai jangkauan perkhidmatan pemeriksaan kesihatan yang baik kepada komuniti yang kurang bernasib baik dan kurang berkemampuan. Aspek penjagaan kesihatan semasa pandemik ini adalah kritikal dan Kementerian Kesihatan mengalu-alukan kerjasama yang lebih mendalam terutamanya bagi memastikan pencegahan penyakit adalah diberi keutamaan," kata YB Dato’ Sri Dr. Adham Baba pada majlis pelancaran imej dan tujuan baru program Care-A-Van.

Perkhidmatan talian sokongan “RedCrescent4u Careline” akan dibuka setiap hari bermula dari jam 8 pagi sehingga jam 6 petang bagi menerima panggilan daripada individu yang ingin mendapatkan bantuan sokongan psikologi serta penerangan berkenaan COVID-19 dan vaksin. Manakala program “Care-A-Van x MyVac” akan memobilasikan sukarelawan ke kawasan-kawasan pedalaman untuk tujuan pemeriksaan kesihatan, bantuan pemahaman vaksinasi dan program kesedaran kepada masyarakat setempat. Kerjasama ini juga akan mengadakan bengkel kesihatan secara atas talian dan dibuka kepada orang ramai dengan menampilkan pakar-pakar kesihatan dari dalam serta luar negara bagi membincangkan topik berkaitan COVID-19 dan vaksinasi.

"Saya bangga menyaksikan program Pfizer Care-A-Van kami melangkah maju ke hadapan dalam memenuhi kebajikan kesihatan masyarakat yang memerlukan bantuan. Selama dua dekad Care-A-Van telah memberi kesedaran serta perkhidmatan penjagaan kesihatan kepada 156,000 rakyat Malaysia yang kurang berkemampuan di 800 lokasi. Kerjasama bersama PBSMM ini membolehkan kami menyantuni lebih rakyat Malaysia, terutamanya ketika waktu pandemik ini, yakni membolehkan kami mempamerkan nilai “Prihatin untuk Malaysia," kata Luksanawan Thangpaibool, Pengurus Negara bagi Pfizer Malaysia. 

Menurut Kajian Kesihatan dan Morbiditi Nasional 2019 yang dikeluarkan Institut Kesihatan Nasional, hampir setengah juta rakyat Malaysia mengelami tekanan perasaan. Data itu merekodkan 1.7% daripada rakyat Malaysia mengalami “General Anxiety Disorder”, 1.8% mengalami tekanan perasaan, 1.7% mempunyai pemikiran untuk membunuh diri dan 1.1% telah cuba untuk membunuh diri.

“Memahami pentingnya beban kesihatan mental di Malaysia terutama ketika wabak COVID-19, BSMM ingin meningkatkan peranan kami sebagai salah satu agensi kemanusiaan terkemuka di Malaysia untuk menyediakan perkhidmatan Mental Health Psycho Social Support (MHPSS) yang dapat diakses oleh semua orang terutama di wilayah yang dilanda bencana di Malaysia,” kata Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz, Pengerusi Kebangsaan BSMM.