RONALD McDonald House Charities Malaysia (RMHC Malaysia) is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the country’s first Ronald McDonald House (RMH) at Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz UKM (HCTM-UKM).
Established in 1999, this facility was not only the first of its kind in Malaysia but also in the Asean region.
It provides 19 family rooms and a variety of essential facilities including a living room, laundry facilities, kitchen, dining area, prayer room and a children’s playroom.
“After 25 years of operation in Malaysia, RMH HTCM-UKM has benefited more than 5,000 families, assisting approximately 200 low-income or impoverished families each year.
“We hope RMHC Malaysia can continue to alleviate the financial and emotional burdens for families with children undergoing treatment, allowing parents to focus on supporting their children without the added worry of finances and comfort,” said RMHC Malaysia president Datuk Azmir Jaafar.
He added, “For over two decades, RMH HCTM-UKM has provided support services to families in need during critical times when their children are hospitalised.
“Therefore, today’s celebration marks a new milestone for RMHC Malaysia in its mission to help families in need across Malaysia.”
RMHC Malaysia, a non-profit organisation established in February 1990, is dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of underprivileged children across Malaysia.
It operates four main programmes to support health, education, and welfare: the Ronald McDonald House, Ronald McDonald Sensory Room, the Gift of Smile Programme, and the Back-to-School Pack Programme.
Over its 34 years in Malaysia, the charity has positively impacted the lives of over 250,000 children, with funding exceeding RM60mil.
Based on the concept of “home away from home,” RMH helps to ease the burden on families travelling from afar to secure comfortable accommodation within the hospital grounds without significant financial costs.
The demand for accommodation facilities like RMH is particularly high at referral hospitals.
RMHC Malaysia has expanded its RMH network to include three other locations in Malaysia: Universiti Sains Malaysia Hospital in Kubang Kerian, Kelantan (established in 2019), Tunku Azizah Hospital in Kuala Lumpur (established in 2021), and Sabah Women and Children’s Hospital (established in 2023).
RMHC recently marked its 50th global anniversary with plans to establish a fifth RMH near General Hospital in Kuching, Sarawak, by 2026. This initiative addresses the growing demand in East Malaysia and is set to offer vital support to families in need.
For info, visit rmhc-malaysia.my/.
