SAMARAHAN: Sarawak needs at least 60 new dialysis machines every year in view of an increasing number of dialysis patients.
Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian said as the world is advancing, dialysis patients are also increasing in numbers.
“Ten years ago, we had 1,300 dialysis patients in Sarawak.
Today, we have about 4,000,” he said at the official opening of the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) – Kidney Association of Sarawak (KAS) / Rotary Dialysis Centre (Unit 2) here Saturday (Sept 30).
“As a result, every year we have about 715 new patients … these patients would have 15 to 20 years to live after their kidney starts to fail,” he said.
Dr Sim said there would be a loss of about 300 to 350 patients per year which means 60 new dialysis machines are required every year.
Thus, he applauded KAS and NKF for setting up another dialysis centre here which could provide support to dialysis patients.
Meanwhile, National Kidney Foundation of Malaysia chairman, Datuk Dr Zaki Morad Mohd Zaher said that the new dialysis centre here was initiated to decant the high numbers of renal failure patients from the NKF Kuching centre.
He said the Samarahan dialysis centre is equipped with 18 dialysis machine points and is one of the bigger dialysis centres in NKF, currently treating 100 dialysis patients.
“Having another centre located in Samarahan shows NKF’s commitment towards providing quality dialysis care for patients in underserved areas, especially those with transportation problems.
“This centre, strategically located on the ground floor would provide easy access for patients with difficulty walking up the stairs,” he said.
With the new regional unit set up in Kota Samarahan, Dr Zaki said they can proceed with health screening, outreach activities and intervention programmes in the suburban and rural area.
He also extended his appreciation to KAS and the Rotary Club of Kuching for their unfailing support to NKF.
“KAS and Rotary Club of Kuching have helped to raise the necessary funds to establish the new centre for NKF and the poor kidney failure patients in Kuching and its surrounding area.
“With continuous support from our partners, we hope to reach out to the larger community and continue our vision to save lives,” he said.
