THIRTY volunteers from the central Seberang Perai branch (SPT branch) of the Malaysia Red Crescent Society Penang Chapter (MRCS) have been at the forefront to assist the frontliners ever since the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic in the country last year.
According to its disaster management committee chairman (SPT branch) Ng Tzer Chyuan, the team has been actively involved in supplying the frontliners with basic needs, such as the food supplies, face shields, hand sanitisers and gloves.
“Our disaster management taskforce comprises a total of 30 volunteers who are also involved in community engagement work mainly in the SPT district.
“We have distributed some essential items to our frontliners, namely the police, healthcare workers from the Health Ministry, Fire and Rescue Department, and the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) squad.
“We have also distributed a total of 17,000 ‘DIY-made’ face shields to the frontliners.This is our gesture of appreciation and love to them,” said Ng during an interview session with Buletin Mutiara today.
Ng said the team also constantly worked together with the state representatives and the Village Community Management Councils (MPKKs) to assist those who are in need.
“Thus far, we have given out ‘family kits’ consisting of grocery items to a total of 850 households.
“We went ‘home to home’ to distribute the provisions to those needy families.
“The recipients were identified by the state Welfare Department
“Our team also frequently gets in touch with the state representatives and MPKKs to provide aid to the people in our neighbourhood ,” added Ng.
Apart from that, Ng said the MRCS SPT branch has also supplied the Covid-19 intubation box to the Bukit Mertajam Hospital, Seberang Jaya Hospital and Seberang Jaya Klinik Kesihatan.
“The intubation box came down from our headquarters to be distributed here.
“We also have stationed our ambulance at the Bukit Mertajam Hospital’s vaccination centre as a standby in the event of emergencies.
“Aside from that, we have so far conducted a total of 17 blood donation drives,” said Ng while adding that there is a total of 400 volunteers at MRCS SPT branch.
In view of the current situation of the pandemic, Ng urged everyone to stay vigilant at all times.
“We are encountering a crucial phase of the pandemic, so please do not move around if you do not have anything important or ugent matters to be done.
“Follow the advice given by the Health Ministry by adhering to the standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Ng also added that during the floods that occured last June, the team had provided the victims in the SPT district with some 100 pax of grocery items.
“Other than that, our volunteers had supplied face masks, face shields, hand wash, hand sanitisers to primary and secondary schools as well as contributed 1,000 pairs of white shoes and socks for the needy students,” ‘Ng said.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad