(From left) Maaedicare Board of Trustee Datuk Dr Kili Ghandhi Raj, Tunku Yaacob, Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz, Anne and Board of Trustee member Megat Mizan Nicholas Denney at the anniversary celebrations.
THE air crackled with hope and generosity as the Maaedicare Charitable Foundation celebrated a milestone 30 years in the making.
Maaedicare is a Kuala Lumpur non-governmental organisation for kidney patients and heart diagnostics and awareness.
Its Health for Humanity Fundraiser Ball 2024 raised RM500,000 in combined cash and donations.
This sum will fuel Maaedicare’s mission, expanding its kidney care programmes at its dialysis centres, strengthening heart health initiatives through heart assessments at the Cardiac Diagnostic Centre and bolstering health screenings its Klinik Amal Percuma.
This include plans to open more free clinics, bringing essential healthcare to more under-served communities.
A silent auction also raised funds for Maaedicare’s fight against heart ailments and kidney diseases.
The fundraiser was graced by Tan Sri Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah who is the Tunku Temenggong of Kedah.
The foundation has played a crucial role in offering subsidised dialysis treatments across its 11 dialysis centres in the country.
It also runs a Cardiac Diagnostic Centre and provides complimentary medical screenings to encourage early prevention of kidney and heart diseases through its two Klinik Amal Percuma branches.
Cumulatively, the foundation has served close to 32,000 patients.
Maaedicare chairman Tunku Datuk Yaacob Khyra said the funds raised would benefit the foundation in strengthening its medical facilities and providing essential renal care to its 800 dialysis patients.
He added that the fundraiser ultimately sought to foster a healthier future by bridging gaps in medical services and uplifting the quality of healthcare across the country.
“Maaedicare’s commitment to dialysis affordability has remained steadfast for 30 years. We began by offering dialysis treatment at a highly subsidised RM99 per session, compared to private clinics charging RM250.
“After 30 years in operation, Maaedicare today charges only RM110 per treatment – an inflation of RM11.
“This has been made possible, through the control of costs, bulk purchasing of supplies, and careful management of investment funds,’’ said Tunku Yaacob.
He added that the treatments had aided in extending the lives of 24,000 dialysis patients receiving care over the years.
“Almost all have since passed on, but the quality of life we helped them live and the fulfilment of full lives they have enjoyed, cannot be understated,’’he said.
Maaedicare chief executive Anne Rajasaikaran said the foundation was proud to mark three decades of service to the underprivileged communities in Malaysia.
“Join us in building a healthier Malaysia. Donate to support our foundation’s heart health and free medical services initiatives,’’ said Anne who is also the Health for Humanity Fundraiser Ball 2024 chairman.
“Your contribution is more than just donations.
“They empower patients to fight for a life of purpose. With each other, we are making a real impact,” she said.