Kuala lumpur: Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) has initiated a special task force to spearhead the establishment of its first hospital, announced its chairman, Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki. According to BERNAMA News Agency, MARA is leveraging its existing healthcare ecosystem, which includes 160 U.n.i KLINIK, U.n.i Farmasi, and U.n.i Dental outlets, alongside educational institutions that produce medical and healthcare professionals.
The task force is tasked with driving the creation of HOSPITAL MARA, which aims to serve as a teaching hospital and a hub for healthcare excellence. Asyraf Wajdi highlighted that MARA's comprehensive ecosystem, which includes UniKL Royal College of Medicine Perak (RCMP) and Kolej Poly-Tech MARA (KPTM), is well-positioned to support this initiative. The hospital is expected to play a crucial role in the economic development of Bumiputera.
The hospital is intended to complete MARA's education ecosystem by providing clinical training opportunities, particularly for students from UniKL RCMP, which offers courses in nursing, pharmacy, and physiotherapy. Asyraf Wajdi emphasized that clinical training at a teaching hospital is essential for fulfilling educational requirements.
In addition to educational support, MARA's ecosystem includes technical and vocational education and training (TVET), engineering and technology, entrepreneurship, financing, and industry development networks. Biomedical science programs at UniKL Malaysian Institute of Medical Science Technology (UniKL MESTECH) and technology disciplines from other UniKL campuses may also be integrated into the hospital's structure.
Asyraf Wajdi noted that HOSPITAL MARA could function as a living laboratory for MARA students and researchers. Students from various branches could be involved in hospital equipment and systems technology, clinical training, and the development of AI, IoT, robotics, or medical devices. MARA entrepreneurs could supply products and services to the hospital ecosystem.
Additionally, the U.n.i KLINIK, U.n.i Farmasi, and U.n.i Dental networks, owned by Bumiputera professional entrepreneurs under the Professional Entrepreneur Development (ProSPEC) program, would serve as a frontline healthcare network supporting the hospital. Asyraf Wajdi concluded that, after years of producing healthcare professionals, it is time for MARA to establish an institution where these professionals can practice, conduct research, and lead in the industry.