At this old Alor Setar clinic, a quieter memory of Hasmah

In Alor Setar, Malaysia, a small clinic named Maha Klinik opened in 1957, before Dr Hasmah Ali rose to become one of the country's most prominent public figures. Maha Klinik was formed by merging the surnames of Hasmah and her husband, former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who met during their studies in Singapore. After their marriage, Mahathir left public service to open his own clinic.

Maha Klinik relocated in 1979, but it remained a symbol of the couple's connection to Alor Setar. Former employees now cherish memories of Hasmah, who was not only the wife of a former prime minister but also a dedicated and caring healthcare professional. She was among Malaysia's early Malay women doctors and focused on public health, maternal and child health, immunization, and the welfare of rural communities.

The clinic itself has maintained a tradition of low fees, reflecting Mahathir's practice of not charging those who struggled to pay. Dr Reshampreet Kaur, a longtime staff member, highlights that Hasmah and Mahathir continued to visit rural communities to provide medical care, reinforcing the clinic's legacy. Even now, visitors often stop by to simply photograph the signboard bearing the name that has been linked to the former prime minister and first lady for nearly seven decades.

For those who have worked at the clinic for decades, the name represents more than just a historical connection; it evokes the early years of two doctors who began their married life long before they gained national prominence, and the significant contributions made by a woman whose impact on medicine and public health extended far beyond the clinic.