Cardiac care for the economically challenged
October 10, 2018
After dedicating 24 years to providing highly subsidized charitable dialysis treatment to thousands of underprivileged kidney patients, the MAA Medicare Heart Charity Fund has embarked on a new mission.
They recently unveiled their inaugural Cardiac Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, located at Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah in Kuala Lumpur. This state-of-the-art facility is poised to offer comprehensive cardiac and vascular diagnostic services to the poor and underserved, either for free or at a significantly reduced cost. From kidney care to cardiac compassion Dato’ Aliyah Karen, the Chief Executive Officer of the MAA Medicare Charitable Foundation, shed light on the foundation's origin, dating back to 1994 when it was established as the non-profit arm of MAA Assurance. The foundation's journey toward cardiac care began when a poignant incident unfolded. One of MAA's staff members, grappling with end-stage renal failure, found herself unable to afford private dialysis treatment. The public hospitals were overwhelmed, and the National Kidney Foundation's subsidy program didn't cover her income bracket. This predicament prompted MAA to take action. They envisioned creating the first dialysis center to aid patients like her, desperately in need of affordable treatment. Their inaugural center, established along Jalan Ipoh, started with only six dialysis machines and served 20 patients. "In 1995, we received requests for assistance from Teluk Intan and Butterworth," Aliyah recalled. "These were the first three centers that were set up with the support of the MAA group." By 2014, they had expanded to 12 centers, caring for approximately 800 patients, predominantly from the lower socioeconomic strata with monthly household incomes below RM2000. At that juncture, a new board member, deeply impressed by their kidney care initiatives, proposed creating a similar fund for patients with cardiac problems. Recognizing the significant financial implications, the foundation conducted an extensive feasibility study that spanned nearly a year. They collaborated closely with the Ministry of Health, explored partnerships with institutions like University Hospital, Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (HUKM), and University Malaya Medical Centre, and assessed private rates to gauge the potential cost of heart treatments. Bringing hope to heart patients What became evident was the alarming waiting list in government hospitals three years ago, stemming from the inability of many individuals to afford private cardiac care. Consequently, with unwavering support from the board, MAA decided to establish its maiden cardiac center. Aliyah highlighted the importance of the MAA Medicare Charitable Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, which has been operational since September. She shared the story of their first patient, a 78-year-old who couldn't afford an angiogram at a private hospital. Today, the center boasts a team of five leading cardiologists from Gleneagles and Pantai Hospital, who regularly attend to patients to ensure they receive the best care possible. The facility is equipped with cutting-edge technology, including a Multi Slice CT Scan, X-Ray machines, and Cardio Angiogram/Angioplasty equipment. The center spans two floors and features four day beds on each floor, as well as twin-sharing rooms with six day beds. Patients at the center are categorized into four levels based on their financial capability. Those who can afford to pay receive services at rates 30% lower than private hospitals. For those who cannot afford the cost, a social assessment determines whether they qualify for further subsidies or even free treatment, catering to the most financially disadvantaged individuals |
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