BUKIT JALIL: Optimax Holdings Bhd is targeting about 25 patients a month across its nationwide outlets, leveraging the Malaysian National Co-operative Movement’s (Angkasa) 7.3 million members following a collaboration to expand access to eye care services for eligible cooperative members and their immediate family members.
Optimax chairman Datuk Seri Dr Chen Chaw Min said the programme ensures that Angkasa patients receive the same standard of treatment as other patients, with access to the latest medical technologies.
“For example, a refractive surgery that costs around RM10,000 may be difficult for salaried workers to afford as a lump-sum payment, but through the Angkasa programme, eligible members can undergo the procedure without having to pay the full amount upfront,” he told reporters after the signing ceremony yesterday.
Deputy Entrepreneur Development and Cooperative Minister Datuk Mohamad Alamin officiated the agreement, along with ministry and Angkasa dignitaries.
The agreement will be effective for three years and may subsequently be renewed for successive one-year periods, subject to mutual written agreement of both parties.
Under the collaboration, eligible cooperative members and their immediate family members will have access to Optimax’s eye care services across its nationwide network.
The collaboration covers a range of eye care services, including eye examinations and surgical procedures recommended by qualified ophthalmologists.
Both parties will also work together to implement eye health education and awareness programmes to encourage regular eye examinations and highlight the importance of early detection of vision-related conditions.
Chen said Optimax also offer new technology for patients aged over 50, which allows them to see both near and far after surgery.
This is particularly beneficial for people such as military personnel, doctors, and teachers, whose eyesight is essential to their work.
Another area is the treatment of short-sightedness and astigmatism.
“The programme is available not only to Angkasa employees and members, but also to their children,” Chen said.
“This means members can also bring their children for treatment, extending the benefits of the programme to the wider Angkasa community.
“For Angkasa, we see this as a new business venture.
“Previously, the corporation was focused on traditional businesses, but we are now exploring businesses that can create greater value and a stronger impact.
“This includes high-tech medical technologies.
“Going forward, we will not only provide services locally, but also explore opportunities to work with companies overseas and expand into global markets,” he said.
Angkasa president Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Fattah Abdullah said the collaboration reflects the agency’s efforts to continuously expand the benefits available to its members through strategic partnerships with industry players possessing expertise in specialised fields.
“The strength of the cooperative movement lies not only in its large membership base, but also in our ability to build networks and connect members with services and expertise that can add value to their lives.
“This collaboration with Optimax is an example of how such networks can be translated into benefits that are more closely aligned with the needs of our members and their families.
“At the same time, this collaboration creates opportunities for both parties to implement eye health awareness programmes on a wider scale.
“We want our members not only to have access to services when treatment is needed, but to understand the importance of regular eye examinations and maintaining good eye health,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mohamad Alamin expressed hope that Angkasa committee members and every other co-operative agency nationwide under Angkasa will be more creative in identifying new opportunities for collaboration.
“Today, we can see that Angkasa is being very creative in finding new opportunities for cooperation that benefit its members and the cooperative sector.
“To date, we have 16,700 cooperatives across the country, with a total membership of 7.3 million. Angkasa provides guidance and support for all of this.”