HPUSM CHANNELS OVER RM200,000 AID TO 68 PATIENTS

KOTA BHARU, Jan 12 (Bernama) -- The Universiti Sains Malaysia Specialist Hospital (HPUSM) has aided 68 patients through the Patient Welfare Fund, handing out assistance worth a total of RM206,398 as of December 2024.

Its director, Prof Datuk Dr Ab Rahman Izaini Ghani said this is an increase compared to the RM143,424 given out to 57 recipients in 2023.

He said although HPUSM remained committed to providing the best treatment for its patients, there were still some who faced financial constraints in getting the necessary treatment.

"This fund was established to ease the financial burden of the less fortunate so that they will not be marginalised and can receive the same treatment as other patients,” he told reporters during the HPUSM Patient Welfare Fund Charity Dinner here yesterday.

He said that although the amount seemed big, many more patients were deprived of assistance as the cost of treatment continued to rise every year.

"The increasing number shows that many more, particularly those from the B40 and asnaf group, still rely on such assistance for further treatment, he said, adding that the various types of aid channelled to eligible patients via the fund, established in 1987, included medical equipment, support equipment, prostheses and orthoses, special foods and medicines.

He said that HUSM's rating as a specialist hospital since last October had indirectly boosted the hospital's image, in addition to strengthening the community's confidence in its health services.

-- BERNAMA