Qatar Fund for Development Supports health sector in Partnership with Qatar Charity Dedicated to the Rohingya refugees in Malaysia

Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) continues to demonstrate its unwavering commitment to global humanitarian efforts through the implementation of a comprehensive healthcare initiative aimed at addressing the critical needs of Rohingya refugees in Malaysia. In collaboration with Qatar Charity and National Welfare Foundation, QFFD has allocated substantial funding to establish five fully equipped health clinics and five mobile clinics strategically located across key regions to ensure accessible healthcare services for Rohingya refugees.

Initiated in December 2019, this groundbreaking project has been instrumental in providing essential healthcare services to Rohingya refugees in Malaysia. A recent comprehensive inspection tour conducted by a delegation from QFFD underscored the significant impact of these healthcare projects. The delegation embarked on a thorough visit to each of the health clinics across Malaysia in the capital, Kuala Lumpur, the city of Johor, and Penang Island, where they gained firsthand insights into the diverse range of essential health services being provided to Rohingya refugees.

Despite facing unprecedented challenges due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), along with its partners Qatar Charity, remained resolute in their commitment to supporting Rohingya refugees in Malaysia. The initiative, meticulously planned over four years and launched in September 2019, encountered unforeseen obstacles as the pandemic disrupted normal operations worldwide. However, rather than succumbing to these challenges, the project was extended by an additional year to ensure its successful completion by December 2024. This extension allowed for the adaptation of strategies to comply with evolving health protocols, ensuring the safety of both healthcare providers and beneficiaries while maintaining the delivery of essential services to the Rohingya community. Through unwavering determination and collaboration, the project persevered, continuing to provide vital healthcare support to those most in need, reaffirming Qatar’s steadfast dedication to global humanitarian endeavors.

Accompanied by esteemed representatives from Qatar Charity, National Welfare Foundation, and strategic partners including Mercy Malaysia (MM), Malaysian Relief Agency (MRA), and the Islamic Medical Association of Malaysia (IMAM), the delegation was extensively briefed on the latest developments regarding the clinics’ operations. They were provided with detailed updates on the innovative outreach programs, impactful health promotions & education initiatives, robust vaccination campaigns, and the streamlined referral systems in place to ensure efficient access to specialized medical services.

Every clinic has primary health services such as medical treatment, antenatal services, wound dressing and minor surgery, health education, health screening, vaccination, and blood testing. As for the specialist services, which are orthopedic, circumcision, and pediatrics. Lastly, all clinics have other services such as psychoeducation and counseling.

The groundbreaking healthcare initiative has achieved remarkable milestones, having successfully served a staggering 585,756 Rohingya refugees as of April 2024. This exceptional success is a testament to the collaborative efforts of QFFD, Qatar Charity, and Yayasan Kebajikan Negara (YKN), as well as the unwavering dedication and expertise of partner organizations in providing indispensable healthcare services to Rohingya refugees in Malaysia.

It is important to note that this inspection field visit is not the first of its kind; rather, it is a part of regular visits meant to monitor project progress sustainably and effectively, with a particular emphasis on reaching target groups and the most vulnerable individuals and guaranteeing the fulfillment of transparency and quality standards.

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