Sabah Fire and Department deputy director Farhan Sufyan Borhan (left) visited Rahima Ara and her newborn daughter in their Penampang home on Friday (June 3).
KOTA KINABALU: Having given birth to three children, Rahima Ara knows all the risks parents can face if they do not prepare accordingly to ensure their baby is safely delivered.
As such, the 39-year-old and her husband made proper arrangements so that they could welcome their newborn without much difficulties.
However, she quickly learned that even with meticulous planning and preparation, things don’t always turn out how one would want them to be.
Rahima and her husband never thought they would deliver their fourth child in their car after being stuck in a traffic jam while on the way to the Women and Children’s Hospital (HWKKS) in Likas on Wednesday (June 1).
As such, she was grateful for the firemen and others who rushed to ensure her and her baby girl’s safety that day.
“Thank you so much to the firemen and everyone else who came to our rescue,” she said, when met at her residence in Kampung Kobusak in Penampang near here.
Rahima added that she was also thankful for the prayers and words of support by Malaysians after news of the incident went viral over social media.
Recounting the experience, Rahima said her baby daughter was scheduled to be born sometime on June 18, adding that she was in a breech position.
She said the HWKKS had called her the day before to come to the hospital to help correct the baby’s position.
“On the day of the incident, I suddenly felt pain in my tummy and immediately asked my husband to send me to the hospital but our journey was disrupted (because of the traffic congestion).
“My husband honked at other drivers hoping they would give way to us but we couldn’t make it in time to the hospital,” she said.
Among those who helped out were Sabah Fire and Department deputy director Farhan Sufyan Borhan who saw the couple’s vehicle at Jalan Lintas and stopped to check on them.
Farhan, who visited Rahima and her newborn daughter at their home on Friday (June 3), was on the way to his office located about 500m from where the couple had stopped.
He added that it was also his first personal experience in facing such a situation.
However, Farhan said he was only doing his duty as firemen are trained to prepare for any eventuality, including emergency child births.
“It is important that we are always aware of the things happening around us and be prepared to help those in need.
“Such awareness can bring about a positive impact including saving precious lives,” said Farhan thanking others who also stepped in to help the mother and her baby.
