Dr Wan Azizah calls for transparent giving culture to support healthcare welfare, as PPUMCare raises RM5.5 million for patients.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Prime Minister’s wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail has urged Malaysians to cultivate a culture of giving and caring for community health welfare, particularly for low-income groups.
She emphasised that this noble effort must be supported by trust in transparent and highly accountable fund management to benefit those truly in need.
Dr Wan Azizah stated that trust and accountability form the foundation of a healthy giving culture during her speech at the ‘A Night to Care’ Charity Dinner organised by PPUMCare.
She highlighted that the PPUMCare initiative reflects the value of togetherness and solidarity in supporting the nation’s health system.
Drawing from her experience as a former medical officer, she learned the true meaning of sacrifice through healthcare workers serving with dedication regardless of time and circumstances.
Dr Wan Azizah shared her personal connection to Universiti Malaya Medical Centre as an alumni and as the birthplace of all six of her children.
She acknowledged the dedication of doctors, nurses, and staff who serve with all their hearts at the medical centre.
The former medical officer revealed her difficult decision to quit her job when her husband entered politics in 1972, believing every sacrifice has its own meaning.
Universiti Malaya Medical Centre now treats more than one million patients annually with 3,500 daily patients and 1,200 consistently full beds.
These statistics demonstrate the significant responsibility of teaching hospitals in ensuring quality healthcare access for all society levels.
Dr Wan Azizah expressed appreciation to donors and organisers for successfully raising RM5.5 million for PPUMCare.
The funds will assist B40 and M40 group patients and improve medical facilities at Universiti Malaya Medical Centre.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil explained PPUM faces unique financial challenges as it operates under the Ministry of Higher Education rather than the Ministry of Health.
This situation creates difficulties for PPUM in meeting rising treatment costs, particularly for B40 and M40 patients.
Teaching hospitals like PPUM require greater operational independence since they don’t receive direct Ministry of Health funding.
Fahmi revealed the charity dinner idea emerged from feedback received from Lembah Pantai residents and Bangsar retirees affected by PPUM’s medical cost increases.
As Lembah Pantai MP and administration member, he felt responsible to help and initiated the charity dinner with his own RM50,000 donation.
Fahmi called on more major companies to contribute to PPUMCare as both a charity initiative and social investment for public wellbeing. – Bernama
ALSO READ: Quality education and good healthcare key to nation’s prosperity – Queen
