The Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS), Penang Branch and Emergency Department, Penang Hospital jointly organized a course on Pre Hospital Care at the Headquarters in Penang for two days from 15th to 16th January 2005. About 50 participants from MRCS and St. John Ambulance attended the course conducted by Dr. Teo Aik Howe and Dr. Azlan Kamalludin from General Hospital. Engineer Saw, who is the Chairman in his speech, mentioned that accident cases were more severe than natural disaster. Death toll is about one million a year world wide for accident cases.

Dato’ Koay who was invited to officially launch the course congratulated the Malaysian Red Crescent Society, Penang Branch for taking the initiative to organize the Pre Hospital Care Course. “It is indeed very encouraging that the two organizations, MRCS and St. John Ambulance share a common interest in first aid and life saving to learn the art of Life Saving. “As you are aware trauma caused b road accident now ranks as the leading cause of death and disability in the first four decades of life and the third for all ages after Cardiovascular disease and Cancer. Of great concern is the worrying fact that majority of its victims worldwide are usually young, fit, healthy citizens and it is a great loss to the nation for otherwise this young people can contribute much to the nation for a long time,” he said.

Dato’ Koay also took the opportunity to thank MRCS, St. John Ambulance and General Hospital for taking part in “Ops Sikap” during the double Festival; Deepavali, Hari Raya and the coming Chinese New Year as many lives saved during the standby along the North-South Highway as ambulances were able to respond at much a shorter time. He also thanked the organizations for taking part in the search and rescue operations during the Tsunami Tidal Waves that struck us unexpectedly on 26th December 2004. “MRCS has done a lot in the response to Tsunami. They not only served the local but also offer their assistance to Acheh and Sri Lanka includes helping raising fund, collecting of clothing and foodstuff for the victims and sending them over”.