Gather volunteers to prepare PPE equipments

Kuantan, 5 May 2020 - Recognizing the need for self-protective clothing (PPE) for the current use of the Ministry of Health (MOH) personnel and ongoing demand for PPE has inspired the staff of UMP Services Sdn. Bhd. (USSB) a subsidiary of UMP Holdings Sdn. Bhd. to gather volunteers to assist in the preparation of this PPE equipment.

It started when the USSB Landscape and Sanitation Executive, Mohd. Hairudin Idris assisted his wife, Radziah Wan Mohd Nor, who volunteered to sew PPE equipment.

At that time, however, there was a demand that the equipment is ready immediately and needed volunteers.

Given the need for volunteers to use social media, he did not expect the response to be so encouraging that he could gather ten volunteers in a short time.

“The group successfully completed 250 head protectors and 400 unit foot protectors.

“Material such as fabric and rubber is supplied by the Pahang State Department of Health (JKNP) and Ibn Sina Medical Association of Malaysia (PAPISMA).

"Volunteers make the PPE according to the specifications set," he said.

According to Radziah, the materials received were also ready to be cut and distributed to all volunteers involved in the preparation of their homes.

She and other volunteers are thrilled to have the opportunity to contribute energy to preparing the PPE for the front line of health and medical personnel working on COVID-19.

Describing her involvement, in accepting an offer from her friend, she unequivocally agreed to volunteer and expressed her desire to get more volunteers together to set up this PPE.

"Although some of the volunteers do not know each other, it does not prevent us from working together to complete this PPE.

“All communications between us use WhatsApp messaging. With the sewing skills we have, we have made it easier to set up this PPE,” she said.

She started sewing as early as 8:00 am until 12:00 pm and in the afternoon would focus on preparing a family breakfasting meal.

Although most of them have been busy preparing hari raya apparel orders they need to complete, it is not a hindrance for volunteers to donate even less energy to help countries with the COVID-19 pandemic.

As for UMP Librarian, Noorul Farina Arifin, she has been asked to provide 67 pairs of foot protectors.

It was a valuable experience for her to contribute energy to the front line as the country dealt with the outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic.

Since she works from home (WFH), most of the sewing is done on weekends and during the holidays.

"Sewing these PPEs is not difficult but it still requires special attention especially the sewing method according to the sample provided," she said.

Translation by: Aminatul Nor Mohamed Said, Faculty Of Computing