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Tzu Chi's medical care for refugees in Malaysia

In order to provide humanitarian medical care for the refugees from Myanmar in Malaysia, Taiwan Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation in Malaysia recently organized a free health care to look after those Rohingya refugees.

As the Rohingya refugees from Myanmar are living in a foreign land, they don't have access to medical care typically offered to most citizens, which puts them at quite a disadvantage since they need to bear high medical expenses.

Physician Ms Tan Xiang Ning said, "Although they have UNHCR refugee cards, they have no money to come back for a checkup. Even if they come for a checkup, they won't take the medicine for that matter. This led us to feel that we need to help this group of refugees."

A Rohinga refugee Muhamad Shahir said, " It's common that to see the doctor may cost more than USD 25. And if you need to stay in the hospital, it could cost more than USD 100, which means we need to make installment payments. If we wait too long to make the payment, the doctor won't treat us next time." Muhamad Shahir has been in Malaysia for 12 years, and he was happy to volunteer to serve as an assistant today. He said, "I understand the doctor's questions and can help doctors successfully carry out the examination through my translation. If I am able to help out then I am very happy."

Tzu Chi provides regular heath checkup that serves minor ailments. Looking after the health of these local residents as well as refugees shows that compassion and care are distributed equally to everyone here in Malaysia.

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