JOHOR BARU: The Malaysian Red Crescent (MRC) is in the thick of action not so much in direct combat against the Covid-19 pandemic, as in supportive work for the band of valiant people called frontliners.
The frontliners, of course, are those who are in contact with the afflicted through the provision of medical aid and attention.
The MRC is among entities which are supporting these frontliners with material and moral support.
MRC’s National Committee for Community Services and Health donated a ventilator and personal protective equipment (PPE) to the Enche’ Besar Hajjah Khalsom Hospital, Kluang, in aid of Covid-19 Response through the #responsMALAYSIA initiative.
Tunku Temenggong of Johor, Tunku Idris Sultan Ibrahim, who heads the MRC National Committee for Community Services and Health, graced the handover ceremony which saw hospital director, Dr Azura Abu Bakar, receiving the equipment at the prince’s residence in Johor Bahru, today.
The medical items worth RM70,000 were channeled through the MRC’s #responsMalaysia initiative, a movement that enlists corporations, non-government organisations and communities to contribute to the alleviation of the devastating effects of Covid-19.
Enche’ Besar Hajjah Khalsom Hospital received the following equipment: a ventilator worth RM49,500, a carton of N95 masks, a carton of protective gowns, two cartons of gloves, two cartons of protective masks and 500 units of face shields.
Present at the handover ceremony were MRC National Committee for Community Services and Health deputy chairman, Datuk Mohd Rashidi Mohd Nor, MRC secretary general Datuk Sayed Rahman Sayed Mohd and MRC Johor Baru District deputy chairman Velasamy S. Pillai.
The committee had previously donated a ventilator to Sultanah Aminah Hospital, Johor Baru, together with PPE to the tune of RM75,000.
Since the establishment of the #responsMALAYSIA initiative by the MRC national headquarters, its state branches and chapters at district-level nationwide have been assisting the government in the fight against Covid-19.
Alongside the MRC National Committee for Community Services and Health, which is led by Tunku Idris, and advised by the Permaisuri Johor, Raja Zarith Sofiah Sultan Idris Shah, who is royal adviser to the MRC, people in need have received aid through community outreach and healthcare channels, abetted by MRC volunteers.
On the advice of Raja Zarith Sofiah, volunteers provide community service in line with the Seven Principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement.