SITTWE (Myanmar): All donations by generous Malaysians to the Media Prima-New Straits Times Press (NSTP) Humanitarian Fund in association with Mercy Malaysia, launched in Nov 2016, have been fully disbursed.
The funds, totaling RM735,664.99 are managed by Mercy Malaysia to provide medical services at a medical centre and nine clinics in the Sittwe district in Myanmar.
The funds were handed over by Malaysian Ambassador to Myanmar Zahairi Baharim to Rakhine State health director Dr Kyi Lwin, at a ceremony held at the Kyauk Tan Rural Health Centre (RHC) in Rakhine.
Also present were Media Prima-NSTP Humanitarian Fund board of trustees chairman Tan Sri Mohamed Jawhar Hassan; NSTP chief executive officer Datuk Seri Abdul Jalil Hamid; and Mercy Malaysia executive director Amran Mahzan.
The Kyauk Tan RHC, before being handled fully by Mercy Malaysia, provided medical services for around 12,000 people from 12 villages and was in dilapidated condition.
However, thanks to contributions from Malaysians to the Media Prima-NSTP Humanitarian Fund, the centre has since been upgraded and equipped with various facilities by Mercy Malaysia.
The medical centre, which operates 24 hours, is managed by Mercy Malaysia and local NGOs. It provides medical treatment for local residents including women and children.
It is also the sole medical facility managed by Mercy Malaysia which is recognised by the Myanmar government and the Health Ministry.
Meanwhile, Zahairi said the contributions will go a long way towards helping the locals, especially those in the Sittwe district.
“Medical aid is also channeled to everyone regardless of religion, race and ethnicity; it universal and for all.
“It also plays a role in a noble bid to unify the Muslim and Buddhist communities,” he said.
He said Rakhine has many temporary camps which are in poor condition.
“As such, we support any effort by Malaysians who wish to channel aid to help the facilities here,” he said.
The Malaysian delegation also visited a district hospital managed by Mercy Malaysia in Thet Kel Pyin and the village of Kaung Doke Khar.