MESSAGE FROM FOUNDER & PRESIDENT DATO’ MOHD FARID ARIFFIN

Syukur Alhamdulilah we navigated through 2021 with Allah’s Grace and Mercy when COVID-19 was still looming over humanity. Cure was being produced in the multi-billion dollar labs ready to be distributed to the rest of the world. Vaccines were mass produced in record time, never before in the history of the world such a feat was accomplished by the big Pharmas. It was a huge sigh of relief and gratitude and hope when DG of Health announced the arrival of Pfizer Vaccines in Feb 2021.

We changed mode from living in fear to living with hope of returning to normalcy. We adjusted the work-from-home policy to a rotation basis, minimised physical human interactions through online-based events and activities apart from some ground level services that were halted due to Movement Restrictions Order. Our frontliners and high-risk groups were among the first to receive their shots. In March, the nationwide immunity program was rolled out by the Government .

When the DG of Health called for NGOs to help with the deployment of the vaccines to reach herd immunity, we came forward to assist. The whole MAKNA team were vaccinated to help with the nationwide vaccination program. We repurposed our Digital Mobile Mammogram Unit into a mobile vaccination hub, reaching out to communities in rural areas with our existing medical team and mobile team. Our first vaccination program started in Malacca, and later to Kedah, Kelantan, and Kuala Lumpur. Our team in Sabah and Sarawak were also deployed to reach out to bedridden patients at home. Booster shots were subsequently given too.

By September, the Government announced we had reached herd immunity. Alas, HOPE of CURE was real. Syukur…. We were finally able to travel with less restrictions and continue with our programmes, public fundraising activities and working arrangements of business-as-usual. Importantly, we learnt first hand that we need to be agile and resilient - to be able to weather major, unprecedented global health crisis or any global crisis .

I am proud of my fellow MAKNArians for the ability to make quick important decisions adapting to challenges and changes. Change is constant. We must be fully prepared as we brace through an uncertain future. This year, our report is a unique one – as we present to you the great effort and dedication as we respond to a crisis – a humanitarian mission. We may have accomplished beyond our scope, but it was our duty to serve the country and community.

Thank you.