(From left) MRCS secretary-general Hakim Hamzah, national treasurer James Kon, national vice-chairperson Datuk Seri Suhaimi Yacob, Nik Nazmi, Tunku Puteri Intan, Yaacob, Maaedicare Charitable Foundation board of trustee Datuk Dr Kili Ghandhi Raj Somasundran, MRCS chairman (Comms and IT) Syamil Fahim and deputy secretary-general Datuk Danial Iskandar at the launch of the Klinik Amal Percuma in Kuala Lumpur.
TWO non-profit organisations – Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) and Maaedicare Charitable Foundation – have teamed up to deliver free, affordable healthcare in the country.
Klinik Amal Percuma will provide free medical services such as primary care, chronic disease management, health education and counselling to underserved folk.
About 16 free clinics will be set up in various states in the future.
Two clinics in Kuala Lumpur and in Ipoh, Perak, started operations in January.
Tunku Temenggong Kedah and MRCS national chairman Tan Sri Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz said the mutual collaboration was focused on making a positive impact in the community and helping to improve the health and well-being of those in need.
“This partnership is a powerful way to make a positive impact and achieve common goals.
“Healthcare providers, organisations and community leaders can pool their resources and expertise to reach more people and provide more comprehensive care,” she said at the launch of Klinik Amal Percuma at Wisma MAA Medicare.
Maaedicare Charitable Foundation chairman Tunku Datuk Yaacob Khyra said lack of access to basic medication and treatment was a significant concern in Malaysia.
“Basic health care is a fundamental human right. Our government hospitals are here to provide very cheap and sometimes free medical attention for the poor.
“But even with government hospitals, many low-income communities still lack access to simple medication and treatment,” he added.
Yaacob said overcrowding in government hospitals was one of the main reasons the gap had widened for low-income communities.
“We want to bridge that gap. We view this as part of our CSR, to assist our government,” he said.
The foundation provides subsidised kidney dialysis and cardiac diagnosis to the poor.
With Klinik Amal Percuma being the latest addition to its expansion, the foundation aims to offer many other health screenings as a fully equipped diagnostic centre over the coming years.
The clinic will be staffed by a team of dedicated healthcare professionals.
Volunteering opportunities are available for those who want to lend a helping hand.
It was launched by Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad and witnessed by MRCS principal office bearers and board members, the foundation’s board of trustees and MAA Group Bhd senior management team.
The MAA Medicare Kidney Charity Fund was initiated in 1994 and rebranded to MAA Medicare Charitable Foundation in 2014.
It has been known as Maaedicare Charitable Foundation or Yayasan Amal Maaedicare (YAM) since 2022 and is the second largest non-profit dialysis provider in Malaysia offering highly subsidised treatments at its 11 dialysis centres nationwide.
In September 2018, the foundation set up Malaysia’s first heart charity centre – the Maaedicare Cardiac Diagnostic Centre in Jalan Ipoh providing quality care, and comprehensive cardiac and vascular services and consultations, with subsidies.
The Klinik Amal Percuma is open from 9am to 1pm, from Monday to Saturday.
No appointment is necessary and patients will be seen on a first-come, first-serve basis.
For details, visit www.maaedicare.org/klinik-amal-percuma or call 03-4044 4468.
