Sowing deeds for a healthy society

Prof Ewe (third from right) receiving the mock cheque from Jue (fourth from right) and representatives from FGS and BLIA during the launch of the ‘My Earth, My Home, Future and Hope Tree Adoption Programme 2022’ fundraising programme for UTAR Hospital in Kampar, Perak.

SOME 133 trees were adopted and RM133,000 raised for the Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) Hospital project in Kampar, Perak.

Buddhist organisation Fo Guang Shan (FGS) Malaysia and Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) Central Malaysia Chapter took part in the adoption as part of a fundraising collaboration, “My Earth, My Home, Future and Hope Tree Adoption Programme 2022” with UTAR.

The programme was launched at the UTAR Hospital Traditional and Complementary Medicine (TCM) Centre recently.

A mock cheque was also presented to UTAR president Prof Dr Ewe Hong Tat by the Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia FGS chief abbess Venerable Jue Cheng.

Prof Ewe thanked FGS and BLIA for the kind donation and support to UTAR Hospital through the tree adoption, adding the programme would benefit the people.

“As the famous Chinese saying goes, ‘the predecessors plant trees, and the later generations enjoy the shade’, so the programme is very apt,” he said.

Prof Ewe added that all good deeds planted today would bear fruit, benefiting future generations as well as helping many patients receive treatment.

“Apart from contributing to the green and sustainable development of the environment, the tree adoption and donation will also help UTAR Hospital realise the vision of cultivating talent and benefiting people,” he shared.

The construction of the UTAR hospital, which is estimated to cost RM330mil, began in 2018.

The hospital offers both TCM and Western medicine.

While construction of the not-for-profit teaching and community hospital offering Western medicine is ongoing, the TCM Centre opened its doors to the public on April 7.

Jue hoped the programme could raise more funds for the hospital project.

“After knowing about the establishment of UTAR Hospital project, FGS responded immediately by donating RM100,000.

“However, it is costly to build a hospital. Even though we are now donating another RM133,000, the amount is still far from enough.

“We hope that we can raise more funds so the hospital can be completed as soon as possible,” she said.

The hospital will integrate Chinese and Western medicines that can benefit all Malaysians.

“It portrays the best example of muhibbah in Malaysia.

“Medical services do not discriminate between races, and we believe the completion of the hospital will be a blessing for all Malaysians.

“The public should come forward to lend support, so that people in need can benefit from it,” Jue added.

Following the launch, there was a brief introduction on TCM and the current progress of the hospital project.

More than 160 members from FGS and BLIA were present.