(From third left) Holloway, Davidson, Yayasan Sime Darby chief executive officer Dr Yatela Zainal Abidin and Dr Ghafur at the launch of the Ford Mobile Clinic.
A MOBILE clinic has been launched to provide essential medical services to underserved communities, particularly in Kelantan, Perak, Pahang, Selangor and Negri Sembilan.
Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD), Ford Philanthropy and MyFundAction launched the Ford Mobile Clinic to support the government’s efforts to improve healthcare accessibility in remote areas.
The mobile clinic aims to serve up to 9,000 patients, who live in underserved areas, agricultural regions, traditional villages, and Orang Asli settlements, annually.
Sime Darby Group chief executive officer and YSD governing council member Datuk Jeffri Salim Davidson said, “Healthcare is a basic human right, yet access remains a challenge for many in rural and remote areas due to distance, financial constraints and limited facilities.
“No one should have to travel long hours and distances to see a doctor nor suffer in silence due to a lack of medical care.
“We’re honoured to introduce the Ford Mobile Clinic and I look forward to seeing the positive impact this will have on healthcare accessibility and community well-being.”
To support the initiative, YSD and Sime Darby Auto ConneXion-Ford (Auto ConneXion) donated a Ford Ranger.
Ford Philanthropy complemented the support with a contribution of US$55,000 (RM250,000) to fund the vehicle’s setup, modification, and operational costs of the mobile clinic.
Auto ConneXion, the sole authorised Ford distributor in Malaysia, facilitated the initiative and coordinates additional support from Ford Philanthropy.
Ford Philanthropy senior manager Jane Holloway said, “We remain steadfast in our mission to support community welfare, including assisting communities during floods and disaster relief.
“Our goal is to reach more communities, ensuring that no one is beyond the reach of healthcare services.
“By working with our local partners, this initiative will bridge gaps in community health, fostering greater equity and improving health access nationwide,” she said.
A key aspect of the mobile clinic is the mobilisation of healthcare professionals and volunteers to deliver medical services to remote areas.
The services include outpatient care, emergency support, health screenings, group immunisations and infectious disease awareness campaigns, as well as medication for minor ailments.
The clinic also promotes health education and encourages proactive health management within the communities.
It also aims to prevent illness by ensuring early diagnosis and timely medical intervention for those in need.
MyFundAction chief executive officer Dr Ghafur Rahim Mustakim said, “Thanks to our generous partners, we are able to expand access to rural areas, reaching more individuals and families.
“We are confident that, together, we will empower communities for a brighter future.”
