ALBINUS Gimbang did not fret as he unloads the food aid from the Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) truck, one by one.
Unlike most of his peers, the 69-year-old former medical assistant said he finds contentment in assisting the poor folk of Keningau.
Being a long-time MCRS member, he was constantly acquiescent to the task at hand. Many his age, however, would be enjoying life and family.
“I do have grandchildren. I love spending time with them, but being a member of Red Crescent for more than 30 years, I would be able to help people.
“This is more satisfying. You're helping people in distress and being a first responder in the wake of disasters,” said Gimbang, as he joked about leaving a legacy of a good man.
Gimbang, who hails from Tambunan, was part of the MRCS on an aid mission on behalf of NGO Women of Will (WoW) to the village folks living in far-flung areas of Sook here, in Keningau.
He also leads the Red Crescent Society convoy laden with tonnes of food aid into the Sook villages.
He joined the Red Crescent in the 80s while still attached to the Health Department, having worked in several Sabah areas before being posted to Keningau.
The deadly Tropical Storm Greg on Boxing Day of 1996 was Gimbang's first trial by fire. As a first aid responder in the tragedy, he had a laughable incident with the late Information Minister, Tan Sri Mohamed Rahmat, or Tok Mat.
Gimbang recalled he was among the first aid responders who had been stationed at a local community hall.
“Every one of us with the Red Crescent was too busy handling the victims. There were bodies, too.
“This was when the late Tok Mat arrived at the scene.
“He came over and tapped my shoulder from behind, and I responded ‘Adam, tunggu dulu’ (Adam, wait).
“He tapped my shoulder twice as I saw a television crew coming right in front of me.
“I overheard someone saying that a minister was right behind me and I stood up. Tok Mat asked me whether 'everything was okay', to which I replied 'I am currently busy',” said Gimbang who claimed he did not know who the man was.
It was only a few minutes after his encounter with Tok Mat that a colleague told him about the minister, Gimbang said, laughing.
Some 238 people perished while 102 are still unaccounted for until today in the aftermath of Storm Greg.
Apart from humanitarian work, these days Gimbang served as an MRCS first aid trainer to village folks in Keningau and the surrounding districts.
With his experience as a medical assistant, he would drive out to remote villages of Keningau with several Red Crescent volunteers and trained the villagers.
“I would either observe or train the villagers on how to be first aiders and deal with situations where medical attention is needed.
“But instead of using first aid kits or equipment, I would train them using whatever stuff the forests can offer.
“Like how to wrap a wound or strap a quick harness to carry or transport the sickly to a medical facility,” he said.
Keningau is located close to the interior divisions. There are hundreds of villages located in the far-flung and remote areas of the district like Sook, Nabawan and Pensiangan.
Rural residents have to travel for hours to get to the nearest hospital, which is located in Keningau. Some villages are without proper roads or rely on 'earth roads' made by logging companies in the area.
Gimbang said only by training them in first aid would they be able to handle situations that require medical treatment until help arrives. – The Vibes, July 14, 2021
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