One of the best examples of religious harmony at present is Muslim Free Hospital which was set up in Rangoon, Burma in 1937. At that time, some Muslim leaders came together and decided to take a step to help the poor people of Rangoon who were not able to afford medical treatment. They set up this hospital and interestingly, only Muslims invested in this charitable hospital.
In 1988, Burma changed to Myanmar and Rangoon changed to Yangon, however Muslim Free Hospital still exists and there is no change in its mission too.
Since 1937, the hospital is providing medical care to poor and needy people without any discrimination on the basis of religion or ethnic group. Even today, Muslims of Myanmar are making contributions so that the country’s financially weak people can avail medical treatment, irrespective of their religion or caste.
The Muslims of the nation deserve more accolades as they are a minority group in Myanmar, just 4 percent of the total population and most of them are living their lives in fear as violence against them is on the rise. Many Muslims have lost their lives and those who are alive, their businesses and houses have been put on fire. Militant Buddhist monks have started a war against them, they address Muslims as animals and are demanding their exclusion from the country. In 2013, Time Magazine published an article which talked about the violence incited by the Buddhist monks against Muslims in Mandalay and after that the situation is getting depleted.
However, this has not affected the mission of Muslim Free hospital and even the Buddhists receive medical care free of cost.
The Muslim, Buddhist and Christian doctors with other staff of the hospital also follow the principles of religious harmony and work cordially despite belonging from different religions.
A hefty amount of $400,000 is donated by Muslims every year and it depends on the patient’s will and capacity whether he pays or not for the medical aid meted out to him.
The hospital which has 160 beds attends nearly 450 outpatients daily.
The number of deliveries taking place in a month on an average is 220 presently.
Muslim Free Hospital is equipped with proper operating rooms, ultrasound unit, x-ray facilities and pharmacy with 45 doctors providing their services to sick people.
What an amazing work! Hats off to all those people indulged in such a noble mission!
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