Deputy minister: MARA Hospital to strengthen Bumiputera healthcare ‘value chain’

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 12 — The Ministry of Rural and Regional Development revealed plans for a Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) Hospital, which will act as a healthcare hub to bolster the Bumiputera healthcare “value chain”. Deputy Minister Datuk Rubiah Wang asserted that constructing the dedicated MARA hospital aligns with empowering the Bumiputera agenda and modernizing the nation's healthcare sector.

The deputy minister emphasized the potential socioeconomic ripple effects of the hospital, which could serve as a catalyst for the Bumiputera healthcare value chain. This encompasses opportunities in training and career development, research, innovation, laboratory services, pharmaceuticals, medical technology, equipment maintenance, facility management, logistics, and the growth of Bumiputera healthcare vendors and entrepreneurs.

MARA, established in 1966, aims to aid, train, and empower Bumiputera to participate in and elevate their economic, educational, and professional standing in the nation. The hospital concept was first proposed by MARA chairman Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, who formed a special task force to study, plan, and evaluate the project's feasibility, scope, and structural framework.

The project is still in its planning stages, with details regarding its location and timeline still under evaluation.