This is the 1st of the 5 refugee clinics in Malaysia.
Mercy Malaysia launched its 1st clinic for refugees in Ampang, Selangor last week which offers a variety of services including outpatient treatment, vaccinations, and even health education.
Fully funded by the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), the clinic was launched by the humanitarian organization in collaboration with Yayasan Kebajikan Negara.
Official launch of the QFFD Humanitarian Aid Clinic today, officiated by by Dato’ Dr Ahmad Faizal Mohd Perdaus, President of MERCY Malaysia; Datin Paduka Che Asmah Ibrahim, CEO of Yayasan Kebajikan Negara; and Mr. Karam Zeinhom Aly, Country Director of Qatar Charity in Malaysia. pic.twitter.com/UR4pgDeFe0
— MERCY Malaysia (@MERCYMalaysia) December 19, 2019
‘With this clinic, we hope to prevent disease complications and overcrowding at government hospitals. In the medium and long term, we aim to effectively address potential public health problems such as disease outbreaks.
‘We thank QFFD and QC (Qatar Charity) for their invaluable support in this initiative,’ Yayasan Kebajikan Negara CEO Che Asmah Ibrahim said in a statement.
Another 4 clinics offering primary health care services to refugees are set to open in various locations in Peninsular Malaysia in the next 3 years.
With support from the United Nations Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the project will be run by medical relief organizations such as Mercy Malaysia, Islamic Medical Association of Malaysia, and the Malaysian Relief Agency.
4 mobile clinics will also be operated in areas with high refugee and migrant populations across Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Kedah, Johor, Kelantan, and Terengganu.
The entire project is estimated to benefit an estimated 120,000 refugees in the country. Migrants have to pay higher fees in government health facilities and face the risk of deportation if they’re undocumented.
Mercy Malaysia president Dr. Ahmad Faizal Mohd Perdaus mentioned that Ampang was chosen as the location for their first clinic upon consultations and discussions with refugee communities.
‘It is a collaborative effort across several levels, including the potential beneficiaries themselves,’ he explained that the project was a tripartite initiative between local NGO partners, international agencies, and the government.
According to Mercy Malaysia, over 180,000 refugees and asylum seekers have registered with UNHCR in Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysia, which hosts refugees and migrants from various countries like Myanmar, Syria, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Somalia, does not recognise refugee status as it has yet to ratify the 1951 Refugee Convention.
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Header image: Mercy Malaysia | Yayasan Kebajikan Malaysia | Alhijrah Online
