The Medical Benevolent Association of Queensland was founded in 1967 by members of the medical profession. The Association is a charitable organisation with the objective of assisting members of the profession in times of need.
Tragedy is unpredictable and may strike at any age in the life of a medical professional. The Medical Benevolent Association is able to offer limited financial assistance to members of the profession if they request assistance and if they meet the criteria for a grant from the Association.
There are often many demands on the financial resources of a medical professional. Many of our younger colleagues have commitments to home and practice loan repayments and various other recurring expenses such as school fees. Meanwhile the various expenses of daily living continue. Items such as food, clothing, electricity, rates and telephone expenses must be provided. Our older colleagues may have seen the value of their savings diminished because of the effects of inflation.
Risks exist for medical practitioners at all stages of their lives. Medicine is not always a guarantee of a financially successful career. Periods of absence from work through illness, injury or disability may precipitate emotional as well as financial distress.
All practitioners are encouraged to have Accident, Sickness and Disability Insurance in an effort to insulate themselves from such effects. They should also consider Business Income Protection Insurance. However there are situations in which these measures either fail or have not been instigated. In such instances the Association can provide some financial support for our colleagues.
The Association provides limited financial assistance to help medical practitioners through such crises and in the past has even met the cost of funerals. The assistance we can offer is limited by what the profession itself contributes. The continued generosity of members, especially life members has ensured our ongoing ability to help.
By its charter, the Association is limited to spending in any one year only that amount which is equal to the total income of the Association in the previous two years. Thus your continued support of this charitable organisation is vital and greatly appreciated.