Singapore Red Cross working to expand services, enhance training

Adopting innovative tech, boosting aid for migrant workers and seniors among plans

- Chin Soo Fang

One day in November 2023, an alert popped up on Ms Han Bi Guang's mobile phone about a medical emergency in the vicinity.

Ms Han, who had learnt first aid skills at the Singapore Red Cross (SRC) Academy, rushed to the scene after the call for help on myResponder, an app by the Singapore Civil Defence Force. She performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation on a man in cardiac arrest and saved his life.

For her heroic act, the 51-year-old full-time caregiver to her father received the SRC Lifesaver Award on Sept 2.

She was among 223 individuals and 57 organisations honoured during the annual SRC award ceremony at HomeTeamNS Bedok Reservoir Clubhouse. The event was graced by SRC's patron, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

Ms Han, who had saved a schoolmate from drowning during preuniversity, hopes more people will pick up life-saving skills.

"When an emergency happens, it can be a neighbour, the domestic helper or whoever is nearby who can make all the difference," she told The Straits Times.

To reach out to more people, SRC chairman Tan Kai Hoe said SRC is committed to progressively expanding the scale and scope of its humanitarian services.