KUCHING, Nov 11: The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) has built a hemodialysis facility in Kota Samarahan.
Assistant Minister for Public Health and Housing Dr Annuar Rapaee said the facility will definitely assist the Sarawak Heart Centre in treating the increasing number of kidney patients in the area.
He was answering Muara Tuang assemblyman Datuk Idris Buang’s question at today’s State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting on whether the state government would establish a dialysis centre in his constituency as the number of chronic kidney patients is increasing but public hospitals are congested with limited services and many patients cannot afford to seek private treatment due to expensive cost.
“The hemodialysis facility has passed the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) inspection. Currently, they are waiting for inspection and licensing from the Private Medical Practice Control (CKAPS) branch under Sarawak Health Department before they operate,” Dr Annuar revealed.
At the same time, he disclosed that the state government plans to upgrade the heart centre in Samarahan, by adding five more new haemodialysis machines.
“Currently, the centre has 15 units to treat up to 75 patients. With the additional new machines, we will have 20 units to treat more patients.
“On the other hand, kidney patients can also seek treatment at Simunjan Hospital where there are 10 machines which can treat up to 42 patients,” he said.
Dr Annuar added that on average, Sarawak sees a net increase of about 250 new kidney patients every year.
“We get an average of 500 new cases every year, but deaths due to kidney failure constitute about 50 percent as well. — DayakDaily
