By Nancy Nais
KUCHING, Aug 28: Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen has allocated RM135,000 to CHK Moral Uplifting Society (CHKMUS) Kidney Foundation to purchase three dialysis machines.
“I’ve used my MP fund to help this foundation. Each of these machine cost RM40,000 and the balance will be used to purchase medical consumable items for patients going for dialysis treatment,” Chong said after the cheque presentation ceremony here, today.
The 6-storey CHKMUS building at Jalan Laksamana Cheng Ho has served about 9,000 patients since its establishment in 2009. It is also the largest in Southeast Asia with advanced medical facilities.
It’s president, Datuk Tay Chin Kin, said the centre serviced about 200 patients per month and over the years, they need to replace the machines as and when required.
These patients are divided to three types, namely Hepatitis negative (173), Hepatitis B (15) and Hepatitis C (12), he added.
“Ever since we started operating this centre, we have purchased over 70 machines. Currently we have 39 machines. The Fresenius 4008S Haemodialysis machines can last about 10 to 15 years,” Tay said.
Thanking Chong for assisting the society, Tay explained that the centre provides highly subsidised treatment to almost 50 per cent of their low income or poor patients who cannot afford treatment at private hospitals or centres.
He pleaded for continuous government and private sector’s assistance to reduce the burden of the centre in attending to the ever increasing number of kidney patients requiring dialysis.
“Our association provides free dialysis treatment for the poor. Although our rate is subsidised at RM170 per session, compared to the usual RM300-400 per session, many of the poor still cannot afford this,” he explained. — DayakDaily
