WESTSTAR MAXUS ROLLS OUT THE FIRST NEGATIVE PRESSURE AMBULANCE IN MALAYSIA

Kuala Lumpur, 21st December 2020 – Weststar Maxus Sdn Bhd today unveiled the country’s first Negative Pressure ambulance which will give front liners and medical personnel even greater protection in the fight against COVID-19 and infectious diseases.

A Negative Pressure ambulance is one with special enhancements to help safely transfer and transport patients with infectious diseases and in the current scenario, COVID-19 patients. Negative pressure within the ambulance and Isolation Chamber traps and cleans the air via a HEPA filter, with the air only discharged after being filtered to prevent the spread of pathogens and other infective agents.

Custom-built based on a MAXUS V80 long-wheelbase transporter, tested and already proven in the fight against COVID-19 in China, the Negative Pressure ambulance is imported by Weststar Maxus before being further equipped with the relevant medical equipment and apparatus in accordance with specifications underlined by the Ministry of Health.

The Negative Pressure ambulance offers a two-stage protection for front liners and first responders.

In a Negative Pressure ambulance, the air pressure inside the ambulance is kept beneath the barometric pressure of the outside environment. The cabin of the ambulance essentially becomes an air-tight sealed compartment and only outside air can flow into the cabin.

The air inside the cabin will only be discharged outside the ambulance after passing through a bio-safety negative pressure exhaust purification device, while a built-in ultraviolet light will carry out an automatic disinfection of the cabin after each usage.

Patients meanwhile, are transported in an Isolation Chamber, also known as isolation pods, placed on top of a normal medical stretcher, that is equipped with its own negative pressure filtration system to isolate and prevent cross infection when they are being transferred to the ambulance. This further reduces the risk faced by medical staff.

The Isolation Chamber is made from a special TPU film and strengthened by inserting ABS poles along each side of the structure. It has an “all around” zipper system and integrated glove portals on both sides allowing medical personnel to easily access the patient to administer infusions or other medical equipment/treatment.

This two-stage protection minimizes the possibility of any cross infection and spread of pathogens in the process of transferring, transporting, and treating of patients with infection diseases or COVID-19.

Both the ambulance cabin and Isolation Chamber are also fitted with a safety alarm that triggers to alert medical personnel of any air leakages and to take the appropriate action necessary.

“At first glance, Negative Pressure ambulances may look similar to a regular ambulance, but the technology behind it is entirely new and it is essentially an air-tight cabin, similar to the function of an aircraft cabin albeit the opposite principles relating to air pressure. The main focus is to keep the air trapped within the Isolation Chamber and ambulance cabin to prevent cross infection and spread of infectious pathogens,” said Weststar Maxus Sdn Bhd Chief Operating Officer, Mr Julius Jonathan.

Mr Julius said the vehicle plays the role of both a regular ambulance and as a Negative Pressure ambulance, depending on the needs of the medical centre.

Meanwhile, The Weststar Group, Group Managing Director, Tan Sri Dr. Syed Azman Syed Ibrahim said the MAXUS V80 transporter has proven to be a reliable, robust, practical and the preferred vehicle by the majority of medical institutions in the procurement of ambulances.

With more than 13 years of experience and a sterling track record in building ambulances, Weststar Maxus has delivered more than 500 regular ambulances to both government and private medical institutions in Malaysia.

“The MAXUS V80 has been the go-to vehicle for ambulances in Malaysia. This is not surprising since it is the only widely-available vehicle which allows medical personnel to administer treatment while comfortably being able to stand. It is also extremely spacious and allows for the fitting of numerous medical equipment and apparatus,” said Tan Sri Dr. Syed Azman.

The versatility of the MAXUS V80 he added, has also seen the vehicles being successfully customized for the diverse use of many commercial and industrial players.

MAXUS V80 transporters are backed by a minimum of three-year or 100,000km warranty and a minimum four-year or 100,000km free service package inclusive of parts, lubricants and labour.

For more information, visit the nearest authorized MAXUS dealer or visit the official website at www.weststarmaxus.com.