KUCHING, April 4: Sarawak Democratic Action Party (DAP) presented an allocation of RM30,000 to Persatuan Dialisis Cahaya Kuching to fund its operating expenses and assist dialysis patients.
Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen said the dialysis centre was approved and certified by the government and is equipped with nephrologists and well-trained medical staff members, which cater for 72 dialysis patients at the moment.
“As a non-governmental organisation (NGO), the centre has relied on donations and funding from other NGOs for many years and fundraising activities to maintain its operating expenses.
“However, due to Covid-19 coupled with restrictions and standard operating procedures (SOPs), many activities have been banned, and the centre has limited funds.
“The centre is also faced with additional expenses for regular disinfection work, additional special sessions for Covid-19 positive patients, high demand for personal protective equipment (PPE), and frequent self-isolation of staff members due to close contact (with positive Covid-19 cases),” he said in a statement today.
Dr Yii also mentioned that Sarawak DAP would prepare a special compassionate fund for B40 patients in the Padungan and Pending constituencies who need urgent assistance for dialysis treatment.
He also hoped the allocation would help the centre in its expansion plans and procurement of additional machines to cater to the growing needs of patients around Kuching.
Based on the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) data, over 40,000 people in Malaysia have kidney disease, with over 8,000 new patients diagnosed annually since 2018.
“If this upward trend continues, we expect some 106,000 patients who would need dialysis by the year 2040, of which 30 per cent will fall under the age of 45.
“Thus, the government must take urgent notice to increase awareness of and tackle non-communicable diseases such as diabetes which contribute close to 65 per cent of all end-stage kidney failure cases,” he added.
During the visit to the centre, Sarawak DAP chairman-cum-Padungan assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen and Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong were present. ― DayakDaily
