Doctor extends medical care beyond clinic walls in Malaysia

Dr Syafiq, a 34-year-old physician in Malaysia, expanded his medical practice to provide ongoing support for patients facing financial hardship.

He created the Permata Card program, which offers free medical treatment and a monthly allowance of RM150 (Malaysian ringgit) to orphans in Kelantan and Terengganu, two states in Malaysia. Dr Syafiq developed this initiative after observing that patients often struggled with issues beyond their immediate medical needs during his early career, including a posting at a hospital in Kuala Krai.

He also founded the DocCare program, delivering medical assistance, equipment, and necessities directly to bedridden patients through mosques. Dr Syafiq and his team further visit patients at home who cannot easily travel to a clinic, reducing the financial and logistical burden on families. Suzaini Ramli, a patient who received home visits after an amputation, explained that the care relieved stress on his family.

Dr Syafiq hopes other healthcare professionals will consider similar approaches to address both medical and economic challenges faced by patients, believing consistent support can be as valuable as a single treatment.