Mara Hospital Should Not Be Linked to Racism

The proposal for a Mara hospital has drawn a response from the agency’s chairman, who says the plan should not be viewed through a racial lens. Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki described it instead as an effort to build a complete health education ecosystem for the public.

He said Mara’s institutions already offer programmes across medicine and health-related fields, creating a foundation for a teaching hospital. After six decades of producing thousands of doctors, he said the agency was in a position to expand that network more fully.

“I do not understand why the proposal to establish Mara Hospital is linked to racism. After 60 years, with thousands of doctors trained, this idea is being developed for everyone’s benefit,” Asyraf Wajdi said in a Facebook post.

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I do not understand why the proposal to establish Mara Hospital is linked to racism. After 60 years, with thousands of doctors trained, this idea is being developed for everyone’s benefit.

The proposal is linked in particular to UniKL Royal College of Medicine Perak, which offers courses in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, physiotherapy, medical imaging and psychology. The institution needs a training hospital to complete its students’ education and practical training, he said.

Other Mara institutions add expertise in related areas. UniKL MESTECH in Bangi offers health sciences, laboratory studies, environmental health, and occupational safety and health. UniKL BMI in Gombak provides health-related engineering programmes, including biomedical engineering maintenance, while UniKL MITEC offers courses in medical equipment maintenance.

A special team led by Mara deputy director-general Dr Mahzan will examine the plan. Asyraf Wajdi said specialists from public and private hospitals had indicated their willingness to contribute, adding that expert views would be considered as the proposal develops.

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I will not look back. God willing, every aspect will be examined and the views of the experts will be brought together.