Malaysia Health & Wellness Brand Awards for CSR 

Gleneagles Hospital Kuala Lumpur (GKL) has recently been honoured as a recipient of the Malaysia Health & Wellness Awards for its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. As one of the leading private healthcare providers in Malaysia, GKL is dedicated to providing the best and safest care possible to its patients and has extended this commitment in its extensive community programmes. 

“GKL is committed to making a difference in people’s lives through excellent patient care, with a focus on clinical excellence, service excellence and medical technology,” said GKL chief executive officer Ms. Hoo Ling Lee. 

“It is truly an honour that among the many admirable programmes in the community, our hospital has been recognised for our CSR initiatives.

“This acknowledgement is a particularly humbling experience because it shows that doing good and being socially responsible can make a positive difference in many lives. Imagine the impact that can be achieved if all of us come together and lend our helping hand.”

GKL’s CSR initiatives are carried out through the Sincerely Gleneagles Kuala Lumpur programme, representing the hospital’s collective commitment to building and maintaining a positive relationship with its surrounding community. Some of the initiatives under the programme include A-Heart for A-Heart, GlenBuddy, GlenFestive Relief and Sebakul Kasih Project. 

A-Heart for A-Heart

The A-Heart for A-Heart charity programme offers medical intervention to children from low-income families afflicted with congenital heart disease – The most common birth defect in the world. Funds raised are channelled to this initiative to help underprivileged families who cannot afford the necessary corrective surgeries. 

The programme has benefited more than 1,400 children over the past 25 years, including 41 cases in 2022 alone. 

The A-Heart for A-Heart charity programme has benefited more than 1,400 children over the past 25 years.

The team at GKL that work on this programme consist of a multidisciplinary team, which includes paediatric consultants, cardiothoracic surgeons, physiotherapists, nurses, as well as the medical staff.

“This initiative would not be possible without the efforts of our specialists who work together with the medical team to help these children,” said Ms. Hoo. 

“We have witnessed first-hand the multitude of challenges parents face while caring for a sick child in the hospital, particularly those who are economically disadvantaged. This programme identifies families who need financial aid for their children’s congenital heart defects by providing medical intervention, ensuring the families can concentrate fully on their child’s recovery.” 

Sebakul Kasih Project

GKL also launched the Sebakul Kasih Project intending to provide aid to disenfranchised and suburban communities, such as donating essentials during natural disaster seasons and supporting non-profit organisations with their charitable causes. 

Under the project, one organisation was supported by the hospital, specifically to purchase a vehicle to assist with the transportation needs of patients. 

Additionally, at the height of the pandemic, donations were also collected and distributed to the residents of Program Perumahan Rakyat, which is located nearby the hospital. 

“Covid-19 affected many lives and we wanted to help ease the burden of the affected communities,” said Ms. Hoo. 

GlenBuddy

Internally, GKL aims to foster an environment that celebrates volunteerism and encourages being active within the community. The GlenBuddy programme is an employee volunteer platform, which reflects the hospital’s tagline, ‘On Your Side’.

Through this initiative, the hospital routinely organises health screenings, educational programmes, and blood donation drives and forms partnerships with NGOs to reach out to those in need.  “We encourage and empower our employees to work together for a larger purpose. 

"The GlenBuddy programme gives them a greater understanding of the issues surrounding our communities,” said Ms. Hoo. 

GlenFestive Relief

Another CSR project is the GlenFestive Relief programme, which is aimed at lessening the burden of the less fortunate during festive seasons. 

"The festive season provides families with the opportunity to celebrate togetherness. But for some, this period can bring about extra stress and anxiety. Which is where the GlenFestive Relief programme comes in,” said Ms. Hoo. 

GKL sponsors families in underserved communities to ensure they can celebrate their respective festivities with joy and dignity. 

Some of the initiatives under this programme include Sponsor-A-Family for Deepavali, Chinese New Year Tea Parties with senior citizens, Adopt-A-Wish for Christmas and Sponsor-A-Kid for Ramadan.

GKL chief executive officer Ms. Hoo Ling Lee said that being recognised for its CSR initiatives proves that doing good and being socially responsible can make a positive difference in many lives.

GKL also plans to continue to enhance these CSR programmes in order to foster a stronger relationship between the hospital and communities in need.

“It is such a rewarding experience to see the Sincerely Gleneagles programme grow from strength to strength, and garner strong support from not just our staff, but the community as well,” said Ms. Hoo.

GKL is part of IHH Healthcare Malaysia which has a network of 16 hospitals across the country, comprising Gleneagles Hospitals, Pantai Hospitals and Prince Court Medical Centre.

Gleneagles Hospital Kuala Lumpur receives Malaysia Health & Wellness Brand Awards for CSR can be found on The Star*