By Rosli Mansor Ahmad Razali
IPOH: Eligible low-income (B40) patients will have the opportunity to undergo cataract surgery at no cost under a full sponsorship scheme covering 40 procedures through the Perak Community Specialist Hospital (PCSH) Welfare Fund.
The initiative, a collaboration between Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital (HRPB), the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) and the Perak Chinese Maternity Association (TPCMA), aims to increase cataract treatment capacity.
It is also expected to help ease the burden on HRPB patients who face waiting periods of between six and eight months for cataract surgery.
MOH Deputy Director-General of Health (Medical), Dato’ Dr Mohd Azman Yacob, said the full sponsorship covered initial clinical assessments, cataract surgery and post-operative follow-up care.
“Since the programme began in September, 19 patients have been referred to PCSH, four of whom have undergone cataract surgery through the hospital’s welfare fund.
“The sponsorship covers initial clinical assessments, cataract surgery and post-operative follow-up care.
“The assistance is specifically for Malaysian citizens from the B40 income group identified and referred by HRPB, subject to eligibility criteria and clinical assessments by PCSH,” he told reporters at the Public-Private Partnership Empowerment Ceremony for the Cataract Surgery Programme at PCSH here on Sunday.
He added that collaboration between public and private hospitals should continue to be strengthened to expand access to healthcare services, particularly treatments in high demand.
“Quality, safety, effectiveness and equity will remain the foundations of healthcare delivery, with patients given priority,” he said.
Meanwhile, TPCMA Honorary Secretary-General Dato’ Lim Si Boon said the sponsorship through the PCSH Welfare Fund reflected the community hospital’s commitment to helping people access the treatment they need.
“We hope the collaboration will continue beyond the 40 sponsored surgeries, allowing us to help more patients.
“PCSH will continue working with the public sector to support community health, carrying forward TPCMA’s legacy of service spanning more than 120 years,” he said.
Under the arrangement, HRPB is responsible for identifying and referring patients, while PCSH conducts further assessments, performs the surgeries and provides follow-up care for those confirmed to be eligible.
Patients may also be referred back to HRPB for monitoring and further care, where appropriate.
The programme is scheduled to run until November 30, 2026, or until all 40 sponsored surgeries have been completed, whichever comes first, subject to the terms and conditions of the memorandum of understanding (MoU).
