SIBU: The Sibu Kidney Foundation (SKF), a non-profit organisation, is looking to add more dialysis stations to cater to the increasing number of patients.
Chairman Temenggong Datuk Vincent Lau said that they are applying to the authorities to add nine more dialysis stations.
“With that, we can cater to 96 patients over two shifts. However, we need to consider our financial capability because the more stations we have, the higher our costs will be,” he told the media after receiving four dialysis machines from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
He said that the foundation currently has 25 dialysis machines serving 83 patients in two shifts.
Lau added that SKF is upgrading its facility to provide better services to kidney patients.
“It is always our objective to provide the best dialysis service to kidney patients. We are also making efforts to educate the public on how to prevent kidney failure.”
He revealed that the foundation had recently purchased two auto-HDF (Hemodiafiltration) machines, and SKF would also be replacing one of its reverse osmosis systems soon.
“We have been using the RO system for 30 years since our formation. Now we have to replace one of them because it is old and frequently breaks down. The system is expected to cost us RM170,000.”
Lau emphasised that SKF is able to continue providing dialysis treatment to its patients thanks to the strong financial support from the community.
Meanwhile, the church’s representative for East Malaysia, Elder Sandy Hall, said the donation of two auto-HDF and two normal HDF machines, costing a total of RM200,000, was part of their 20 projects in East Malaysia.
“Coming from North America, we are happy to give back to the community here. We hope to be able to help more in whatever ways we can,” he expressed.
