Our Flagship Projects
For over 90 years, the Rotary Club of Penang has been committed to building lasting impact in our community. Some of our service projects have grown beyond Rotary, becoming independent and self-sustaining institutions.
Today, we proudly carry on our flagship projects over decades, while also initiating new projects every year to address emerging community needs. Over time, some of these initiatives evolve into fully independent organizations — or into new flagship projects that we continue to nurture for the long term.
🌿 JHM Rotary Kidney Dialysis Centre
The JHM Rotary Haemodialysis Centre was established to meet the urgent need for affordable dialysis treatment in Penang. Over the years, it has grown into a trusted healthcare institution, providing subsidized dialysis for low-income patients while maintaining modern facilities and equipment.
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Area of Focus: Disease Prevention & Treatment
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Impact: Thousands of patients have received life-saving treatment, reducing the burden of chronic kidney disease on families.
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Sustainability: Supported through ongoing community fundraising, Rotary grants, and partnerships with local businesses.
💖 Gift of Life
The Gift of Life program offers life-saving heart surgeries for children in Malaysia and the wider region. Many children born with congenital heart defects would not survive without this support. Through international partnerships and Rotary’s global network, we have been able to give children a second chance at life.
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Areas of Focus: Disease Prevention & Treatment; Maternal & Child Health
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Impact: Hundreds of young lives saved and families given hope.
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Sustainability: Long-term partnerships ensure continuity of care for the most vulnerable.
📜 Legacy Projects (Now Independent)
Throughout our history, the Rotary Club of Penang has pioneered many initiatives that later grew into independent organizations, continuing to serve the community long after their Rotary beginnings.
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Penang Youth Centre (1950) – Established by Rotary Penang and later donated to MBPP (Penang Island City Council), with the Rotary Club maintaining a boardroom for ongoing use.
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Penang Spastic Centre (1957) – Now an independent NGO supporting children with cerebral palsy.
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Cancer Detection Centre (1966) – Served as inspiration and model for today’s National Cancer Society.
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Children’s Protection Society (1991) – Established by Rotary, now an independent child protection NGO.
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Rotary JobLink Centre (1990s) – Provided vocational training and employment services.
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Dialysis Centres – Including St. John Dialysis Centre, AMD Rotary Dialysis Centre, and others.
These success stories highlight Rotary’s philosophy of “Service Above Self” — planting seeds that grow into sustainable community institutions.