Charity is often associated with food,  education and humanitarian aid. But for people living with chronic illnesses, charitable support can mean something much more fundamental: being able to continue receiving essential healthcare. 

In conjunction with the International Day of Charity on 5 September 2026, Yayasan Amal Maaedicare is highlighting the vital role of healthcare charity in ensuring that financial hardship does not become a barrier to treatment. 

For dialysis patients, healthcare is not a one-time expense. Treatment is ongoing, often several times a week, and financial difficulties can make maintaining the necessary treatment schedule a significant challenge.

One Maaedicare patient’s experience highlights the financial and practical challenges faced by patients who require long-term dialysis treatment. A single mother of three, she has limited financial means and travels to Maaedicare for her dialysis sessions by MRT  and on foot, sometimes relying on a neighbour for transportation. 

In her case, the cost of ongoing dialysis was a significant financial burden. She could only afford a certain amount towards her treatment and faced the possibility of undergoing dialysis only twice a week for as long as her finances allowed. 

Maaedicare stepped in to help connect her with a sponsor, enabling her to continue receiving the dialysis treatment she needs. At the same time, transportation support helps ease the practical burden of getting to her treatment sessions. 

“Otherwise, I would have had to undergo dialysis only twice a week for as long as my money could last. But they helped me find a sponsor and made sure I could continue my treatment. I’m truly grateful for all their help and support,” she shared. 

Her experience reflects why healthcare charity must look beyond the cost of treatment alone. For vulnerable patients, meaningful support can also mean helping them overcome the everyday barriers that stand between them and the care they need. 

Since its establishment in 1994, Maaedicare has cared for more than 35,000 patients through its network of 11 dialysis centres across nine states. Today, the organisation supports 769 active dialysis patients and has delivered more than 1.2 million dialysis treatments over the past decade. Its Cardiac Diagnostic Centre has recorded more than  13,000 patient visits, while its three Klinik Amal Percuma collectively serve approximately  8,000 patients annually. 

One dialysis patient, who continues to work while undergoing treatment, shared a  message of encouragement to others living with kidney failure: 

“Dialysis is not a barrier for those of us who are still working. Stay strong and keep your spirits up. InsyaAllah, when we follow our dialysis schedule, we will feel healthier and see  the difference in ourselves.” 

Her words reflect the human impact behind every statistic — that with access to appropriate care and support, patients can continue working, caring for their families and living their lives. 

This International Day of Charity, Maaedicare calls on individuals, corporations and the wider community to stand with patients who need ongoing healthcare support. Whether through a donation, corporate partnership or other forms of support, every contribution can help make essential healthcare more accessible to those facing financial hardship. 

To support Maaedicare’s healthcare programmes and help patients in need, please contact Maaedicare Charitable Foundation at 010-243 1830 or email  fundraising@maaedicare.org. 

Because sometimes, charity is more than a helping hand — it is what helps someone keep going. 

This content is provided by Maaedicare Charitable Foundation

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.

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