A remarkable RM481,000 has been raised to support the patient welfare fund at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) Hospital to assist underprivileged patients.

The money was raised at the “Culinary Feast Charity Dinner” on Friday night.

The event was organised by UTAR in collaboration with the Asia Chinese Traders Federation and the Taiwan Chefs Association. It successfully raised RM481,168.

Held at the HXC Grand Ballroom ICC Pudu in Kuala Lumpur, the charity event drew about 660 guests, united in their support for UTAR Hospital.

UTAR Hospital board chairman Tan Sri Dr Chuah Hean Teik said the hospital, which commenced operations in August 2023, had more than 5,600 patient visits as of last month.

He said its specialised team included experts in thoracic surgery, general surgery, orthopaedics and trauma, pain management, anaesthesia, internal medicine, obstetrics, gynaecology, psychiatry, radiology, paediatrics, dentistry and emergency medical services.

“As of May 2024, it has registered 12,699 new patients and reached a 90% daily usage capacity in Ward A, prompting expansion plans.

“UTAR Hospital is truly a hospital built ‘by the people, for the people’ and we are immensely grateful to all the donors, sponsors and supporters who have made the hospital a reality today.

“UTAR Hospital remains committed to enhancing healthcare for our community and contributing to medical knowledge and practice advancement through continuous learning, training, and community engagement,” said Dr Chuah at the dinner.

UTAR president Datuk Dr Ewe Hong Tat expressed profound gratitude to the Asia Chinese Traders Federation, MCA, the Taiwan Chefs Association and all other partners for their unwavering support.

“Their selfless contributions have made the charity banquet a resounding success,” he said.

Looking ahead, Dr Chuah announced plans for UTAR Hospital to expand wards and beds to accommodate the increasing number of patients.

“The hospital also plans to introduce traditional Malay medicine to enrich its medical offerings.

“Upholding the principle of ‘taking from society, giving back to society’, the hospital aims to integrate new technology, equipment and methodologies to promote sustainable development in the health sector,” he said.

Asia Chinese Traders’ Federation president Kang Beng Hooi thanked UTAR and the Taiwan Chefs Association for their cooperation in organising the charity dinner, which featured Taiwanese cuisine.

“We chose the UTAR Hospital fundraising event because we believe in supporting the underprivileged and elderly.

“We have been meticulously preparing for this charity dinner for the past three months,” he said.

The event’s highlights included appetisers served an hour before the main dinner.

The chefs personally prepared and presented dishes such as salt and pepper chicken, Taiwanese sausage wrapped in sticky rice, Taiwanese radish cake, bubble milk tea and other delicacies.

The chefs also crafted three exquisite dishes blending the traditional with innovation: double-boiled mango with sago, superior soup with scallops and steamed glutinous rice with sakura shrimp.

Apart from the culinary delights, the dinner was enlivened with various performances, including the 24 Festive Drums performance and song and dance acts.

Located at the UTAR Kampar Campus, UTAR Hospital is a not-for-profit integrated hospital providing affordable medical care and services in Western medicine and Traditional and Complementary Medicine.

Since its inception, the hospital has been committed to nurturing highly skilled medical professionals and delivering exceptional healthcare.

Notable attendees included MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Jeck Seng, UTAR Education Foundation board of trustees member Datuk Dr Tan Chong Tin, Taiwan Chefs Association’s Alan Ho Yu Jen and Hao Xiang Chi Group representative Quay Jui Hiang.

Present from Star Media Group were group chief executive officer Chan Seng Fatt, chief content officer Datin Paduka Esther Ng Sek Yee, chief business officer Lydia Wang, executive editor Loong Meng Yee and 988 senior general manager Woo Bee Ay.