JOHOR BARU: Permaisuri Johor Raja Zarith Sofiah Sultan Idris Shah has appealed to the public to channel humanitarian aid or funds for the Sultanah Aminah Hospital fire victims to the Malaysian Red Crescent Community Services Committee.
Via Facebook, she said funds can be channeled to the MRC Community Services-JB account (HSBC: 211-119078-101) while items such as medical equipment, towels, blankets and food can be sent to the organisation's branch at No. 66, Jalan Yahya Awal here.
Her son, Tunku Temenggong Johor Tunku Idris Sultan Ibrahim chairs the Malaysian Red Crescent Community Services Committee.
One of the committee members, Lekha Nandy said certain individuals and corporations had contributed up to RM10,000.
However, she said any amount was fine and the people could chip in in any way to ease the burden faced by the families of the victims in the tragedy, as well as patients affected by the fire.
She said there was a need for basic medical equipment such as glucometers, food such as plain biscuits and other items that could help HSA patients who may have been relocated.
The committee has also helped to distribute food given by corporations, hotels and individuals.
Among the contributors since yesterday were Lotus Desaru Beach Resort and Spa, Grand Blue Wave Hotel and Thistle Johor Baru Hotel.
Lekha said one of the organisation's close collaborators, KFC Holdings, has also provided food packets for HSA patients and staff temporarily relocated to the new Permai Hospital.
Meanwhile, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) has taken the initiative to offer counselling to victims and staff of the Sultanah Aminah Hospital fire.
The counselling unit's chief coordinator Associate Professor Dr Syed Mohamed Shafeq Syed Mansor said they have been roped in to provide counselling for those who need it owing to their experience at home and outside Malaysia.
"Our unit consists of a professor, two psychology officers and two counselling officers aided by 15 undergraduates who can help the victims overcome post-trauma and stress," he said, adding that they had rushed to the HSA at 2pm on Tuesday and so far, some family members of the victims have sought their service.
Syed Mohamed Shafeq said the team are currently providing the service at the Johor Islamic Religious Council and the Open University near the HSA, and plan to be there for six days.
"If they feel that they (victims) need counselling, they can still come and look for us at UTM," he said.