KUALA LUMPUR: Starting 2025, it will be compulsory for government buildings and public facilities to install automated external defibrillators (AED) at their premises.
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the matter was approved during the Cabinet meeting this morning.
He said the matter will be brought to State Council Meeting for Local Government (MNKT), to enable the local governments to enact an appropriate act for the implementation of AED installation.
For a start, Khairy said the AED project will be launched on June 1, with an allocation of RM3 million.
"Under Phase 1, starting this year to 2024, 100 AEDs will be installed nationwide, with collaboration with the Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) and St John Ambulance of Malaysia (SJAM)," he told a press conference after visiting the Malaysian Red Crescent Society National headquarters here today.
He said the installation of the AEDs through the MyAED Community Network programme will be doubled from time to time, in addition to awareness programmes in schools through the role played by the MRCS and SJAM.
"When this project is operational, we will be in a better position to ensure the heart attack victim gets the help of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) by trained civilians, along with AEDs that are available in places where it is potentially needed," he said.
Khairy said that the use of AED is important, with some countries having already installed AEDs in shopping malls and sports complexes.
He added with the use of AED, the patients have two to three times the probability of survival.
"This is because the critical time is 10 minutes after a heart attack and if the people can use the AED, the patient can be saved," he said.