The Role of Healthcare Waqf and Its Implementation to The Private Hospitals in Malaysia

Abstract

Abstract: Taking care of health is very important to avoid from getting infected from harmful diseases. It also can improve a person’s quality of life. In Malaysia, the main provider of healthcare services is the Ministry of Health. It is considered as a public healthcare provider since Malaysians pay the services through the general taxation of income. Patients who seek treatment from public healthcare only need to pay small amounts of fees because the public healthcare is heavily subsidised by the public sector. Currently, the health system in Malaysia is facing challenging issues that can affect its performance and sustainability. To solve this issue, waqf is an alternative way to ease the burden of the society by implementing the healthcare waqf system. Hence, this study aims to explore the concept of Waqf from Islamic perspective and highlight the implementation of Healthcare Waqf at private hospitals in Malaysia. The researcher adopted qualitative method to fulfil the objectives of the study, by conducting an interview session with a Shariah Advisor at the Islamic Bank and lecturer at the Department of Fiqh and Usul al-Fiqh, Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences, IIUM. The findings from the study are healthcare waqf is not only limited with the concept of the owner can give cash or property to build a hospital but can also contribute to fund education, research, publication, development of facilities and health. To conclude this study, healthcare waqf should be promoted especially in private hospitals in Malaysia as it can help efficiently upgrade healthcare facilities or equipment using the waqf funds.