Klinik Kecheerian opened its doors in October 2012 and provides all the services a regular clinic does, plus quite a bit more. It gives fully subsidised or heavily subsidised treatment to refugees and unmarried mothers-to-be, including antenatal care. Vaccinations for babies are also subsidised.
Speaking to FMT, Jill Ho Chern Ni, one of the clinic’s two resident doctors, said refugees in Malaysia had limited resources as they had difficulty securing jobs, and this had resulted in limited healthcare for them. She pointed out that healthcare is a universal human right.
Sick refugees are usually referred to the clinic by aid workers.
“We have refugee patients from various communities, including the Myanmar, Pakistani and Somali communities,” Ho said.
With Klinik Kecheerian’s recent enlistment as a panel clinic for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, she expects more refugees, especially those living in the Subang Jaya and Sunway areas, to walk in on their own.
Refugees need to pay only a small amount for treatment, but the clinic will fully subsidise the cost of treating those who cannot afford even this minimal amount.
In support of efforts to reduce baby dumping, which is prevalent in Subang Jaya, the clinic provides free treatment for patients from Pertubuhan Iringan Kasih, a shelter home for unmarried pregnant women.
Explaining how the clinic is able to subsidise the cost of treatment, Ho said it was supported by paying patients and donations.
“Our charges follow market rates,” she said, “but we take a portion of the regular fees to subsidise the fees for those who cannot afford them.
“It is the number of patients that help ensure what we do is sustainable. We hope to inspire other clinics to do the same for other marginalised communities. It can be done.”
She said members of the public wishing to support the initiative could help spread word about the clinic so that more refugees would know about the subsidised services there.
“The public can also support what we do by seeking treatment with us or by giving donations.”
Klinik Kecheerian is open from Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm. It is owned by Acts Community Berhad, a not-for-profit organisation. One of the organisation’s social causes is the provision of healthcare to the marginalised.
Those interested in supporting Klinik Kecheerian can contact 03 5635 6476 or email [email protected]
