KUCHING: Statistics suggest that 60 per cent of kidney patients also suffer from diabetes, said Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Woman, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah.
She said that the state government had taken steps to provide special aid to needy kidney patients, particularly in the B40 and M40 group.
“Starting next year, the application can be made through forms which can be obtained at 31 Community Welfare offices in the state.
“The special aid is for the B40 and M40 including civil servants or retirees and those not covered by the Social Security Organisation (Sosco),” she said during the PBB Kampung Medong Hulu and Kampung Medong Seberang Women pre-Christmas ceremony in Dalat on Saturday.
Fatimah said that the cost of Ateriovenous Fistula or AVF was estimated to be around RM3,000 and expressed relief dialysis centres were available in Sarawak including Dalat.
“In government hospitals, we have 25 dialysis centres under the Health Ministry and another one in Dalat. They include the process of cleaning the blood which costs RM13 for a period of four hours.
“We have 300 haemodialysis machines across the state, but around 100 of them are eight years old, which means they cannot function anymore.
“This causes problems to patients in terms of accessibility. Some of them have resorted to private clinics due to the limited number of machines, which cost them around RM200 to RM300 per session.”
Fatimah said that the state government had approved a funding of RM4,673,17 for the first year and RM30,785,584 for five years until 2024 for ailing patients.
The Community Welfare Department will be at the centre of the process.
On the Kenyalang Gold Card (KGC), Fatimah said her ministry had approved the card for elderly aged 60 and upwards starting January 1 next year.
“They can apply for it after it is launched by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg soon.
Through the card, they can obtain discounts with our strategic partners for their services.
“One of it is the death benefit for beneficiaries. We know some people face financial troubles in transporting remains. A maximum of RM3,000 will be provided through the aid,” she said.
