KUCHING: Donating one’s kidney after death could actually save a life.
Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii said the number of chronic kidney diseases (CKD) in Malaysia is increasing, so he encouraged the public to pledge donating their kidneys.
“One of the better treatments for CKD is kidney transplant and I hope more people can donate their kidneys to help the needy,” he said during ‘2019 Let’s Light Us Our Loves charity food fair organised by Che Hia Khor Moral Uplifting Society (CHKMUS) Kidney Foundation at its premises at Jalan Laksamana Cheng Ho 8, Iris Garden yesterday.
According to him, CKD is the sixth top killer disease in the world.
“Statistically, out of every 100 people, nine are affected by CKD. This is very worrying because the figures are expected to double by 2040,” he said.
This is because of the high prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity and others.
“Diabetes itself contributes to 65 percent of CKDs in Malaysia. And we have one of the highest diabetes prevalence in the whole of Asia.
“So this is not the statistics that we should be proud of, but something that we need to work on,” he stressed.
He said one of the treatments for CKDs is dialysis, which can be very costly, and some cannot afford it.
“Therefore, I want to thank the foundation’s chairman Datuk Seri Tay Chin Kin and other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for playing a big role in helping the poor to get the required treatments,” he said, adding that healthcare is the responsibility of all people.
Noting that Malaysia is as a food paradise, he advised the public to take everything in moderation; to have balanced diets and healthy lifestyles so as not to develop chronic diseases.
“The best treatment for ailments such as kidney or heart diseases is to prevent people from getting it in the first place. Prevention is always the best cure, and that is why we all play a part to build a healthy, caring, and happy society.
“It is my vision to see healthcare taken out of hospitals to the community so that people would end up taking care of one another,” he said.
Yii also pledged to give one RM40,000 dialysis machine to the foundation.
“Don’t worry because I will continue to support the foundation. This year my office has allocated RM5,000 to help cover the foundation’s annual expenditure.
“I know it is not enough but I guarantee you as long as I represent Bandar Kuching, I will allocate some funds to the foundation every year.”
