Zakat Distribution in Healthcare Services: Proposed Model For Zakat Beneficiaries (Asnaf) in Malaysia

Abstract

Recently, the cost of medical care and treatments has been increasing yearly, putting pressure on the patient, especially the poor and needy (asnaf). The availability of zakat fund provided to patients who cannot afford to pay their medical bills is minimal and the impact of zakat fund on the healthcare industry has not yet been fully acknowledged. Hence, this paper aims to discuss the role of the Zakat fund in providing healthcare services to Zakat beneficiaries and propose a Zakat distribution model as financial assistance in the healthcare services for Asnaf in Malaysia. To address the underlying problems and maximize the application of zakat funds in the healthcare industry, zakat institutions must be managed efficiently. The proposed model holds significance in improving zakat beneficiaries' access to healthcare services and could enhance the quality of life for Asnaf toward better well-being in Muslim society. Since this is a conceptual study only, no data is collected in this study. However, future research is required to verify the proposed model that could assist the zakat institutions in Malaysia to adopt alternative techniques in their zakat collection and distribution to be channeled in the healthcare sector.