Everyone knows how essential online shopping is during a pandemic. Many of us are either on Shopee or Lazada to buy groceries, clothes, or an air fryer. But imagine scrolling through the app and finding a posting from University Malaya Medical Center (UMMC) asking for donations to afford hospital equipment.
Netizens found multiple postings by a merchant listed as UMMC who requested donations ranging from RM50 to RM500. However, many who came across the posting initially thought it was a scam.
- “A semi-government hospital requiring monetary aid? Any official letter? I’m a bit skeptical.”
- “could be a scam!!”
- “I want to ask if this is legit or not but apparently it is? Dude idk”
One netizen even pointed out how the merchant made a mistake in referring to the hospital’s name. UMMC, which is also known as Pusat Perubatan University Malaya, was wrongly referred to by the merchant as Perubatan Universiti Malaysia.
Nonetheless, Universiti Malaya (UM) took to their Twitter to clarify the legitimacy of their posting.
Just to clarify, this is a legit fundraising program by UMMC. For further information, please visit https://t.co/9cEPMgT2Lw.
Thank you. https://t.co/avS6vfYbqF
— Universiti Malaya (@unimalaya) January 31, 2021
According to their official Facebook page, UMMC posted about this donation on 22 January. “Contributions for PPUM COVID-19 tubes can also be made through purchases on Lazada app.”
If you’d like to donate, just follow the steps detailed in the post:
1. Press the link in the post.
2. Click on the space that says “Support TODAY University Malaya Medical Centre.”
3. Choose the”Donate Now,” option.
Sumbangan untuk tabung COVID-19 PPUM juga boleh dilakukan melalui pembelian di aplikasi Lazada.1. Tekan pautan…
Posted by University Malaya Medical Centre on Friday, January 22, 2021
While it is shocking to see a hospital request for donations in this way, they aren’t the only ones. Organisations such as the Malaysian Red Crescent Society, Yayasan Setia Negara, and MERCY Malaysia have also been spotted putting up postings requesting donations.
What else can we expect with more than 5,000 cases being recorded in our daily Covid-19 statistics?
Hopefully, our frontliners will receive the funds they need to continue providing for these patients. If you’re in the financial position to donate, please consider doing so!
Also read: “You have the right to be angry at politicians, not the frontliners” Selangor MB Tells Rakyat
