Maybank today reaffirmed its support for Hospital Selayang Liver Transplant Centre with a cash contribution of RM162,000 from the Maybank Foundation. The contribution comprised RM150,000 pledged by the Foundation, while the remaining RM12,000 was collected through two recent fundraising events initiated by the Group at the Maybank Malaysia Badminton and Golf Open tournaments 2012 in January and April 2012 respectively.
The contribution was presented by Maybank Chairman, Tan Sri Dato’ Megat Zaharuddin Megat Mohd Nor, to the Director of Hospital Selayang, Dr. Hajah Siti Zaleha Moh Salleh at a special ceremony in the Hospital today. Also present at the event were Dato’ Dr. Haji Azman Hj. Abu Bakar, Selangor State Health Director and Datuk Dr. Harjit Singh, National Head for Surgical Services, Ministry of Health & Consultant Surgeon, Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery. In addition, 22 patients who have undergone liver transplants at the Centre were also present.
The latest contribution will be utilised to defray the cost involved in running the centre and ensuring its sustainability and ability to benefit the public through the life saving work it does each day. The Liver Transplant Centre provide patients the hope of treatment at reasonable cost compared to hospitals locally or abroad.
Speaking at the event, Tan Sri Dato’ Megat Zaharuddin Megat Mohd Nor, said that in 2002, Maybank entered into a unique partnership with the Hospital to support the establishment and running of its liver transplant centre. This was the first such centre in a public hospital in Malaysia.
“The setting up of the Liver Transplant Centre in this hospital gives many patients the hope of treatment at reasonable cost. The RM5 million grant that we gave in 2002 as well as a few other subsequent contributions we made, have helped to benefit this centre in more ways than one.”
“We are glad to know that to date, the Centre has carried out 53 transplants. But we are concerned that many more are on the waiting list. This is why we are here today. Through the Maybank Foundation, we want to reaffirm our support for the work of this centre.”
Tan Sri Megat added that Maybank has been actively involved in supporting public healthcare development over the years. “This echoes our mission to humanise financial services. One way we do this is by helping the community gain access to medical services and lead a healthier life,” he said
It is estimated that annually about six to ten patients undergo liver transplants at the Center. With the support from Maybank Foundation, the number is expected to increase to 15 patients yearly. People with either acute or chronic liver failure are eligible to be treated at the Liver Transplant Centre.