People Urged To Cultivate culture Of Giving For Health Welfare - Dr Wan Azizah

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 30 (Bernama) -- The Prime Minister's wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail has called on the people to foster a culture of giving and caring for the health welfare of the community, especially the low-income group.

She said that this noble effort must also be accompanied by trust in transparent and highly accountable fund management, thus benefiting individuals who really need it.

"When we give, we want the donation to be put to good use, hence trust and accountability are the foundation of a healthy culture of giving," she said in her speech at the opening of 'A Night to Care' Charity Dinner organised by PPUMCare, here today.

According to Dr Wan Azizah, the PPUMCare initiative which channels assistance to patients in need reflects the value of togetherness and solidarity of the people in supporting the country's health system.

She said while serving as a medical officer at the hospital, she gained the experience that taught her the true meaning of sacrifice by healthcare workers who serve with dedication regardless of time and circumstances.

“I myself am an alumni of the Hospital Universiti Malaya, all six of my children were born here. I know how dedicated the doctors, nurses and staff are as they serve with all their hearts.

“When my husband started to venture into politics in 1972, I had to quit my job as a medical officer, it was not an easy decision because I wanted to continue serving as a doctor, but I believe that every sacrifice has its own meaning,” she said.

She said Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (PPUM) now treats more than one million patients every year, with an average of 3,500 patients a day and 1,200 beds that are always fully utilised.

These statistics, she said, show how great the responsibility of teaching hospitals is in ensuring that access to quality health continues to be enjoyed by all levels of society.

She also expressed her appreciation to all donors and the organisers for successfully raising RM5.5 million for PPUMCare, which will be used to help patients from the B40 and M40 groups and improve medical facilities at PPUM.

Meanwhile, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said PPUM faced unique financial challenges compared to other government hospitals because it is under the Ministry of Higher Education and not the Ministry of Health.

According to him, this situation caused PPUM to face difficulties in meeting the increasing treatment costs, including for patients from the B40 and M40 groups.

“Teaching hospitals like PPUM do not receive funds directly from the Ministry of Health because they are under Universiti Malaya, so in some aspects of cost management and operations, PPUM needs to be more independent,” he said.

Fahmi said the idea to organise the charity dinner came about after he received a lot of feedback from Lembah Pantai residents and retirees around Bangsar who were affected by the increase in medical costs at PPUM earlier this year.

“As the Lembah Pantai Member of Parliament and a member of the administration, I feel it is my responsibility to help and from there, we decided to hold this charity dinner and I myself started by donating RM50,000 to PPUMCare,” he said.

Fahmi also calls on more big companies to come forward to channel donations to PPUMCare as the initiative is not just a charity, but also a social investment for the well-being of the people.

-- BERNAMA