Guests and recipients pose for a group photo.
MIRI: Malaysian Red Crescent (MRC) Miri Chapter is embarking on a programme to recruit healthy elderly people and retirees, who hope to contribute to the community, to volunteer at the chapter’s centre.
Revealing this when officiating at the Miri Division World First Aid Day prize presentation, its chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan said through the programme, which is in line with this year’s main theme ‘First Aid and Ageing Population’, they hoped to encourage self-empowerment among older people to strengthen their resilience and capacity while promoting their inclusion in society as actors and not only as beneficiaries.
“The idea is to build a positive image of ageing and recognise older people as an important resource for society. With more free time in their hands and being healthy and eager to contribute to society, we believe that older people can be transformed from being ‘cared for’ into ‘people providing quality integrated care’.
“Especially with our charity sections like thrift shop, they could lend a helping hand sorting out stuffs, arranging etc. I am sure there is a lot of work that could use extra hands.”
Moreover, Chan added, learning First Aid is in fact, particularly important as it could save lives.
“Learning First Aid is not only about knowledge and skills, but the capability to apply during times of emergency.
“We do hope that by promoting First Aid among the people, we can at least have one First Aider in every home, and when something happens that person knows how to deal with it,” he said.
Among those at the prize presentation were organising chairman of World First Aid Day 2015, Dr Subramaniam Palaniappan, the chapter’s vice chairperson Datin Juriah Abdullah, committee members of MRC Miri Chapter as well as recipients and their family members.
Later, Dr Chan gave away prizes to winners of the competitions; namely First Aid Colouring Competition (Link Category), Triangular Bandage Design Competitions (Youth Category), Most Number of Participants Trained for FAIEH Programme, as winners of Most Active First Aider Award, Best Achievement Award for Basic First Aid Examination and Best Instructor Award.
Pui Xin Hui, Miak Pei Sheng and Mok Xiao Maang, all from SJK Chung Hua Krokop, won first, second and third places respectively in the First Aid colouring competition.
SMK Dato Permaisuri Group A and Group B and SMK Lutong won the first, second and third placing respectively in Triangular Bandage Design Competition (Youth Category).
Meanwhile, SJK Chung San Miri won the Most Number of Participants trained for First Aider in Every Home (FAIEH) Programme.
Liew Lyan Paul from SM Riam Road won the Best Achievement Award for Basic First Aid Examination and Haizulyadi Anwar of Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) 46 bagged home the Best Instructor Award.
Recipients of the Most Active First Aider Awards were Haizulyadi Anwar (VAD 46), Liew Suk Yun (VAD 51), Sebastian Sumol Wilson (VAD 51), Alfi Hazimi Aidel (VAD51), Heng Der Zhan (VAD 18), Mohammad Sofee Rabuan (VAD 46), Chang Qian Qian (SMK Lopeng Tengah), Chang Sze Chi (SMK Lopeng Tengah) and Chang Sze Ying (SMK Lopeng Tengah).