4 days ago
YAYASAN UEM BOOSTS LIFESAVING MEDICAL AID WITH RM2MIL CONTRIBUTION
From left: HRC director Dr Fairul Nizam Abu Salim, Yayasan UEM chief executive officer Aishah Nor, Yayasan UEM Board of Trustees member Datuk Amran Hafiz Affifudin, HPUSM director Prof Datuk Dr Ab Rahman Izaini Ghani, Health Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Suriani Ahmad, HCTM director Datuk Dr Azmi Baharudin, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya state health director Dr Nor'Aishah Abu Bakar and UMMC director Prof Dr Nazirah Hasnan at the ceremony. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star
YAYASAN UEM, the philanthropic arm of UEM Group Bhd (UEM Group), has contributed RM2mil for the implementation of its annual Medical Assistance programme this year, bringing the total contributions nearing RM13.9mil since its inception in 2014.
Entering its 12th year, the programme which to date has benefited more than 1,600 underprivileged patients from across Malaysia, continues to expand with Cheras Rehabilitation Hospital (HRC) under the Health Ministry joining as its fourth strategic partner.
The programme's other existing strategic partners are University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (HCTM) and Hospital Pakar Universiti Sains Malaysia (HPUSM).
This year, each hospital has once again received a contribution of RM500,000 from Yayasan UEM which are used to procure life-saving medical devices such as pacemaker and breathing device, medications, treatment charges including those for chemotherapy as well as to facilitate high-cost, critical surgeries for each of the hospitals' underprivileged patients.
The contribution ceremony for the 2025 Yayasan UEM Medical Assistance Programme was held at HRC, where Yayasan UEM chief executive officer Aishah Nor presented mock cheques to representatives of its strategic partners.
This included Dr Faizul Nizam Abu Salim from HRC, Prof Dr Nazirah Hasnan from UMMC, Datuk Dr Azmi Baharudin from HCTM and Prof Datuk Dr Ab Rahman Izaini Ghani from HPUSM.
At HRC specifically, the funding is used to procure a Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) device for its neurological rehabilitation treatment as well as to subsidise other rehabilitation costs for its patients to support their long-term recovery and health.
The funding will also help cover rehabilitation costs for underprivileged asnaf and non-Muslim patients, ensuring they have equal access to essential treatment.
Health Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Suriani Ahmad who graced the ceremony, said:
'This initiative is a testament to Yayasan UEM's commitment to expanding access to quality, inclusive and equitable rehabilitation care for all segments of society, in line with the principles of Malaysia Madani.'
She also emphasised that the initiative marked a historic and meaningful step for both HRC and the Health Ministry as it is the only rehabilitation facility under ministry that provides comprehensive rehabilitation services for patients with stroke, spinal cord injuries, amputations and other conditions requiring long-term intervention.
According to Aishah, Yayasan UEM is deeply committed to providing access to quality medical care for the underprivileged, especially against the backdrop of rising medical cost and inflation.
'Despite medical advancements, disparities in access to medical care persist in Malaysia, exacerbated by the recent Covid-19 pandemic.
'We believe that every individual has the right to access health and medical services.
'It is with this notion that we fully support the government's efforts to promote inclusive and sustained medical support and we hope to continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who need it most,' she added.
Also present to witness the ceremony were Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya state health director Dr Nor'Aishah Abu Bakar, as well as UEM Group managing director and Yayasan UEM Board of Trustees member Datuk Amran Hafiz Affifudin.
