Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has been providing healthcare to refugees, asylum-seekers, and undocumented migrant communities in Malaysia since 2015. The Rohingyas, the world’s largest stateless population, often face harrowing circumstances –whether fleeing persecution in Myanmar or containment in Bangladesh. Beyond undertaking treacherous boat journeys across the Andaman Sea – which some do not survive – they also often encounter pushbacks at sea, leaving them stranded. On land, they face dangerous journeys through dense forests, including as victims of trafficking and survivors of violence.
Rashida, 22-years-old, was born in Rakhine state, Myanmar. She fled alone in 2012 when she was 15 years old and sought refuge in Bangladesh. From there, she travelled to Thailand, which entailed an eight-day trip on a boat with around 500 passengers on board. She reached the Malaysian border on foot with the assistance of smugglers, then spent three and a half months in a detention centre in Penang. Since arriving, she is married to a Malaysian-born Rohingya who works for a cleaning company. ©Arnaud Finistre
I wish I could make everyone understand that no one is choosing to leave Myanmar or Bangladesh by choice. No one wants to embark on those boat journeys in fear of our lives. We are solely fleeing persecution or containment, in search of freedom to live. What other options do we have?A Rohingya volunteer of MSF
As of May 2025, there are approximately over 170,000 refugees and asylum-seekers from Myanmar registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Malaysia. Of these, over 110,000 are Rohingya, with more than 60,000 from other ethnic groups fleeing persecution in Myanmar. Unlike in many nations, refugees in Malaysia live on the margins of society, often living in limbo for decades while awaiting news of resettlement to a host country.
While Malaysia allows UNHCR to register refugees, it is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention or its additional protocol. This lack of legal status has resulted in a myriad of significant barriers to healthcare, education, and legal employment.
The foreigner rate for healthcare is extremely costly – especially for antenatal care. For example, a normal delivery costs approximately between RM4,000-RM5,000. ©Annice Lyn
While those with a UNHCR ID card can access discounted healthcare, this discount applies only to the foreigner rate, making healthcare costs prohibitively expensive.
Those unregistered and do not currently possess a UNHCR ID card face even greater risks, including the threat of arrest and arbitrary detention during immigration raids. The Ministry of Health’s Health Circular 10/2001 obliges healthcare providers to report undocumented migrants to authorities, further increasing fear amongst refugees, causing delays in seeking healthcare that often worsens preventable conditions. For example, although the childhood 6-in-1 (HEXA) vaccine is available for free for all, 56% of children under the age of five sought care at the Doctors Without Borders clinic.
I need medical attention for my injuries, but I can’t get it because of the financial barriers... We just have to die at home without healthcare.A Patient of Doctors Without Borders
Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) response
In response to these healthcare challenges, Doctors Without Borders runs activities in Penang offering primary healthcare, mental health services, and psychosocial support for refugees and asylum-seekers. Doctors Without Borders established a fixed clinic in Butterworth in 2018, which currently assists approximately 12,000 patients per year.
Through weekly mobile clinics, Doctors Without Borders provides healthcare services to refugees in remote areas of Penang. Additionally, Doctors Without Borders collaborates with local hospitals and clinics to refer patients who require specialised treatment, offer medical support in two Immigration Detention Centres (IDCs) and capacity building activities in three IDCs.
Dr Sara Ruth, Medical Activity Manager with the Doctors Without Borders mission in Malaysia discusses a patient’s case with her team member. ©Annice Lyn
Alongside medical care, Doctors Without Borders advocates for health policy changes to improve the situation of refugees and asylum-seekers. This includes calling for the repeal of Health Circular 10/2001, advocating for the safe disembarkation of refugees in distress at sea, ending detention of refugees – especially of children who remain arbitrarily detained and the placement of the medically vulnerable in detention centres.
Doctors Without Borders works closely with local non-governmental organisations, community-based organisations and government institutions to narrow gaps in healthcare access and promote sustainable improvements in the services available to refugees.
Ongoing challenges
Refugees in Malaysia continue to face significant barriers to healthcare, formal employment, and education. Refugees often delay seeking medical care due to the high costs, fear of arrest and language barriers. The fundamental issue of lacking legal status prevents them from fully integrating into Malaysian society and accessing basic services.
Although Doctors Without Borders is authorised to visit Immigration Detention Centres, ensuring impartial access and quality medical services is a challenge, partly due to the lack of interpretation support.
Doctors Without Borders remains dedicated to providing healthcare and advocating policy reforms that would enhance the protection and well-being of refugee communities in the country.
