Malaysia

MacGyver cop uses face mask string to save newborn ‘boat’ baby

Asst Supt Johri Rubinsin ties umbilical cord to prevent infection until ambulance arrives

Updated 5 years ago · Published on 27 Jul 2021 4:13PM

MacGyver cop uses face mask string to save newborn ‘boat’ baby
A combination picture showing Johri Rubinsin (left) tying the umbilical cord of the newborn baby girl, before she and her mother were picked up by the paramedics. – ESSAM ABDULLAH/The Vibes pic, July 27, 2021

by Essam Abdullah

KOTA KINABALU – If the protagonist for the TV series MacGyver existed in real life, he would be Asst Supt Johri Rubinsin, whose quick actions saved the lives of a mother and her newborn baby girl on a boat at the Penambang Jetty near Safma here last night.

In the 7.30pm incident, the woman – in her 30s from Kg Lok Urai, Pulau Gaya – was said to have boarded a boat after experiencing labour pains.

However, her condition was beyond control and she gave birth on the boat.

This attracted the attention of the police on duty at Pulau Gaya, which is under enhanced movement control order.

Upon inspection, the police carried the woman and her baby to the jetty.

Johri, together with two police personnel and Rela, contacted the 999 emergency line prior to being connected to the Queen Elizabeth I Hospital.

Johri – who examined the woman – told the doctor on duty that the woman appeared weak due to blood loss, in addition to the baby still being connected to the mother by the umbilical cord.

A combination picture of the mother and her newborn baby girl. – ESSAM ABDULLAH/The Vibes pic, July 27, 2021
A combination picture of the mother and her newborn baby girl. – ESSAM ABDULLAH/The Vibes pic, July 27, 2021

The doctor informed Johri that he needed to tie the placenta in order to prevent infection while waiting for the ambulance to arrive.

Upon searching the area, Johri could not find any string – at which point, he asked if the string to his face mask could be used for the task. The doctor agreed, and Johri tied the umbilical cord, waiting with the woman and her baby until the ambulance arrived to take the two to hospital for further treatment.

Kota Kinabalu district police chief Asst Comm Mohd Zaidi Abdullah confirmed the incident and said the woman and her baby girl were in stable condition.

He added that the Kota Kinabalu district police headquarters is intending to “adopt” the baby.

“We are also planning to visit her at the hospital, but this is up to the hospital authorities to allow it,” he said. – The Vibes, July 27, 2021

Spotlight

Malaysia

Sarawak DUN to be dissolved on Monday, October 26 – Abang Jo

Malaysia

Architect with 'Datuk' title pleads not guilty to molesting senior police officer's son

World

Strange creature spotted near US-Mexico border

Malaysia

Akmal says public donations hit RM174k, redirects funds to the needy

Malaysia

Illegal temple in Klang used to store drugs

Malaysia

Individual posing as aide to Raja Muda of Selangor causes RM700,000 in losses

Malaysia

Penang to seek greater clarification over Waze ban

By Ian McIntyre

Malaysia

Ismail Lasim insists he remains Negeri Sembilan MB

You may be interested

Malaysia

Malaysia urged to close data protection gaps after Waze ban

Malaysia

Banks offer repayment relief to families of 54 missing in Nepal disaster

Malaysia

Penang to seek greater clarification over Waze ban

By Ian McIntyre

Malaysia

Police to disclose findings on Kuching school attack next Tuesday

Malaysia

Ab Rauf says BN must rethink its approach as Melaka polls loom

By Alfian Z.M. Tahir

Malaysia

18-rating does not exempt films from censorship rules, says ministry

By Alfian Z.M. Tahir

Malaysia

Young Malaysians record highest rates of depression - Dr Dzulkefly

By Alfian Z.M. Tahir

Malaysia

Year One pupil found dead at apartment complex