NEWS RELEASE

MERCY MALAYSIA OPENS SECOND HEALTH CLINIC IN REFUGEE CAMP
Expanding Health Services to Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh

Bangladesh, 1 February 2019…MERCY Malaysia officially opened its second health facility today in Jamtoli Camp 15 in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. The ceremony was officiated by the Malaysia High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Her Excellency Mdm. Nur Ashikin Mohd Taib, witnessed by officials from MERCY Malaysia and local partner Dhaka Community Hospital Trust (DCHT).

“MERCY Malaysia has been DCHT’s partner since 2007, serving communities in need in Bangladesh. Our partnership began during the disaster response after Sidr Cyclone, and continued over the years,” said Prof. Quazi Quamruzzaman, Chairman of (DCHT) at the opening ceremony.

Since then, the two NGOs have conducted many programmes together, such as mobile clinics during the floods, Cleft & Palate surgeries, and water projects including River Sand Filtering, Rainwater harvesting and building of latrines, and the distribution of Ramadan relief items.

The latest project, the Comprehensive Primary Health Care Centre at Jamtoli Camp 15, is aimed at strengthening the health system to support the needs of the affected community, both the Rohingya people and the host community in Cox’s Bazar.

In her opening speech, H.E Nur Ashikin said, “Malaysians have always been known to be generous and caring towards others, more so during international crises and natural disasters. The Malaysian government has also been playing an active role in the resolution of the Rohingya issue, both in Myanmar and Bangladesh.”

“It is unacceptable that the Rohingyas are now stateless, with no country to call their own. The worse affected are surely the children, who cannot stop their childhood or growth and development until the conflict is resolved. They deserve to enjoy an educational and enriching childhood like other children around the world,” she said, commending all parties who had contributed to the successful building and running of the new centre.

In August 2017, the escalation of conflict in Rakhine Myanmar had caused over 700,000 Rohingya refugees to cross over to neighbouring Bangladesh for help. MERCY Malaysia had been actively providing humanitarian assistance to the affected people, reaching over 100,000 refugees in the over-crowded camps.

The construction of the clinic was funded by donations from kind Malaysian individuals and corporations, while the operational costs are currently supported by organisations such as Maybank Islamic, Yayasan Khazanah and Tabung Kemanusiaan Rohingya Mediaprima-NSTP.

The healthcare centre will not only provide free medical consultation and medicine, but also a pathology lab and labour room for safe delivery of babies. It also serves as a safe and conducive location for public health education, such as mental and psychosocial support, family planning, hygiene practices, and more.

Additionally, Maybank Islamic will be supporting the provision of nutritional food for children and mothers with infants, maternity healthcare for pregnant and nursing mothers, and referral service to the nearest hospital for further medical treatment (where necessary). The Islamic bank had also contributed a significant amount in last year’s Ramadan, giving hope and joy to 1,000 families in the refugee camps.

Contributions can be made to MERCY Humanitarian Fund (MBB 5621 7950 4126) or MERCY Malaysia (CIMB 8000-7929-08) or through www.mercy.org.my. All contributions are tax-exempted.