Malaysian Red Crescent Society, Tuaran Chapter

The Malaysian Red Crescent Society (Tuaran Chapter) was established in 1963 to provide health-related services to the communities within the district of Tuaran, Sabah. The district measures 1166 km2 in size and has a population of around 85,000 (2004 est.) living in 334 villages.

The society aims to offer support services to the Fire, Police and Health departments during times of emergency and natural disasters. It also seeks to provide health-related services targeting poor rural folks, and organise community service projects. By recruiting volunteers the society hopes to offer an avenue for young people to develop themselves and serve the community, thus indirectly preventing them from being involved with the negative elements in society.

The chapter currently has 45 staff and volunteers working in three daily shifts.

1. 24-hour emergency ambulance service
– a minimal fee is charged for this service to cover the ambulance fuel and maintenance costs

2. Blood donation campaign
– periodically carried out when there is a demand from the blood bank in Tuaran’s General Hospital.

3. Voluntary aid detachment
– targeting students waiting for exam results
– volunteers are provided training in

i)   Basic First Aid
ii)  CPR
iii) First Responder Life Support (FRLS)
iv)  Malaysian Trauma Life Support (MTLS)

4. First aid and other health training
– provides training by accredited personnel to government or private agencies. Service is free.

5. Health and medical camp
– Periodically supplying medical supplies and support to remote villages within the district

6. Rescue and health assistance during natural disasters
– provides transport, shelter and food supplies to victims of natural disasters (usually floods) within the district

7. Health support during public events
– Special assistance is offered to schools, government departments and agencies, as well as private-owned organisations during festivals, sporting events and public functions. A fee may be charged.

8. Counseling service
– provides confidential counselling by qualified counsellors in areas of:
i)   Drug abuse
ii)  HIV/AIDS
iii) Child abuse
iv)  Youth social ills
v)   Domestic violence

9. HIV/AIDS awareness programme
– mainly conducted in the form of poster exhibitions and seminars in collaboration with government or private agencies.
Estimated Monthly Expenditure:     Please contact society to find out

NEEDS

Volunteers are all welcome!

The society receives a small annual grant from the government. Members of the public have also been contributing. It periodically organises fundraising activities such as jogathons and jobweeks to bolster its treasury.

The society is struggling to keep up with demands for its ambulance service, as it has only one available unit for operation. It hopes to include another two ambulances and welcome financial contributions to realise this aim.

Donations from the public can be made in the form of a cheque, or direct transfer to UOB account no 263-3-000332-9 (please fax/send transaction slip). A tax-exempt receipt will be provided.

Cheques Made Payable to: Please contact society for details
Tax Exempt: Yes