The CEO of a nonprofit wants to reach the poor while also serving those who can pay.
Many Malaysians in rural areas are still out of reach due to distance and infrastructure gaps. The head of the Tunku Abdul Rahman University (UTAR) hospital is trying to bridge these gaps.
UTAR Hospital CEO Ding Lay Ming upgrades the facility’s services to focus on five M management – machines, manpower, money, materials and methods.
The hospital was launched in February in Kampar, Perak, a region once known for its tin mining but is now sparsely populated compared to Malaysia’s urban centers. As a result, it does not have access to professional health care in major cities.
“We want to bridge this gap for those who have to travel long distances for treatment,” Ding said through Zoom. “Once in place, we will focus on expanding the hospital’s third-level care.”
As a nonprofit, the hospital's initial expense of $67.9 million (RM300 million) is funded through planting, charity concerts, dinners, and support from various organizations and philanthropists.
Ding said that self-sustainment is necessary, although it takes time. “[The hospital] “It's still in its early stages. But we will make sure we reach the unfortunate people while serving those who can pay,” she said.
UTAR plans to purchase positron emission tomography (PET) scans, a medical imaging device that uses radioactive substances to measure metabolic processes in the body to evaluate cancer, nervous system and cardiovascular diseases.
Ding said the hospital also established a nuclear medicine unit, while services for ears, nose and throat (ENT), audiology and eye care are expected to operate within the year.
Also in the pipeline is a catheter laboratory where doctors perform minimal invasive tests and procedures to diagnose and treat cardiovascular disease.
Retired Extinction National Health Director Ding said sustainability lies in groundbreaking systems that can be developed, improved and adapted. “People come and go, but the system still exists.”
“I have been deeply involved in high-quality initiatives throughout my career,” she said. “A coordinated, systematic approach to quality improvement can significantly increase efficiency and improve patient outcomes.”
Ding said hospitals planning medical research will establish an ethical and research committee to regulate such activities.
She added: “Since this is a new hospital, we are building the necessary work processes to ensure our clinicians have access to the latest knowledge and relevant medical journals.”
Utar combines Western medicine with traditional and complementary medicine, and the model provides alternative therapies such as acupuncture and Ayurvedic therapy, as well as traditional medical services.
“A dedicated traditional and complementary medical institution runs side by side with the hospital and is linked to the bridge,” Ding said.
She said the integrated model is particularly beneficial for Malaysia’s population aging. “When they come to take traditional and complementary medicine, they may also need Western medicine. Our setup ensures they complement each other.”
