Two hospitals launch food banks to help those hit by pandemic

As more Malaysians continue to face the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, two private hospitals in Klang Valley have stepped forward to help the underprivileged communities.

Manipal Hospitals Klang and Ara Damansara Medical Center have launched food bank at their premises as part of the group’s corporate social responsibility programme.

Collectively funded by the hospitals’ senior management, doctors, staff, corporate partners as well as donations from the public, the food bank aims to help those whose livelihoods have been affected by the movement control order (MCO).

Manipal Hospitals Klang CEO Yap Sim Bee said the establishment of the Care 4 Klang food bank will help lessen the burden of low- and middle-income groups residing within the surrounding communities.

“Witnessing the impact of the pandemic on our fellow Malaysians has moved us to establish the Care 4 Klang food bank to alleviate some of the hardships that individuals and families are currently facing. Through our food bank, we have assisted families who have to cope with graver challenges of the pandemic in Klang,” he said.

Consultant nephrologist and physician Dr Kenneth Lai who initiated the Care 4 Klang said he felt compelled to assist those struggling during the Movement Control Order after thinking of poor children going hungry.

“I knew that we needed to do something for the Klang community. We need to help our community go through these hard times together.”

Lai said with the support from hospital management and staff, the food bank had to date collected and distributed RM10,000 worth of food to more than 2,000 needy families.

MHK also supported the White Flag movement by extending aid to the greater Klang communities. Families and individuals who are in dire need can contact the hospital for dry provisions which will be delivered to their homes directly by hospital staff.

Meanwhile, Ara Damansara Medical Centre (ADMC) CEO Miranda Harumal said the food bank under their “ADMC Bersamamu” initiative is aimed at helping the less fortunate to have access to food supplies.

“Recognising fellow Malaysians are going through challenging times and pandemic fatigue, we wanted to provide food aid to make a real difference as many are struggling from the lack of basic necessities.

“Through our “ADMC Bersamamu” initiative, which is also in line with the country’s #KitaJagaKita, we want affected Malaysians to know that we are in this together,” she said.

The hospital is providing dry provisions to families and individuals residing in Ara Damansara, Subang, Subang Bestari and Sungai Buloh and other areas within the hospital’s vicinity.

ADMC recently donated 150 food baskets to Lembah Subang residents of Rumah Program Perumahan Rakyat Termiskin for the poor and hardcore poor.

It also welcomes public contributions of non-perishable food items which can be dropped off at the hospital’s concierge between 9am to 5pm daily.

The food banks will be stocked with necessities including rice, flour, cooking oil, instant noodles, salt, sugar, tea, milk, and canned food items.

Located at the hospitals’ main entrance, the food banks are open from 9am to 5pm daily and food are available for pick up on a first come, first served basis.

Manipal Hospitals Klang was recently acquired by the Ramsay Sime Darby Health Care Group (RSDH). With the acquisition, RSDH owns four hospitals in Malaysia. The hospitals under the Group currently include Subang Jaya Medical Centre, Ara Damansara Medical Centre and ParkCity Medical Centre.

RSDH also has three JCI-accredited hospitals in Indonesia and a Day Surgery Centre in Hong Kong.