LUNDU, March 28: A kidney patient requiring haemodialysis treatment can seek assistance from the Sarawak government, with support of up to RM30,000 per year for treatment in non-profit centres and up to RM40,000 per year in private healthcare facilities.
Minister of of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah emphasised that from 2020 until Jan 31 this year, a total of 198 patients have benefited from the Kidney Patient Special Assistance, with expenditures totalling RM9.31 million.
The initiative introduced by the Sarawak government is aimed at alleviating the financial burden of kidney patients in need of treatment.
“This year, there are 13 new applicants and 109 applied for aid extension, involving an expenditure of about RM2.5 millon,” she said in her text-of-speech read by Deputy Minister of Women and Childhood Development Datuk Rosey Yunus at a ceremony to hand over of two haemodialysis machines at Lundu Hospital today.
Former Tanjung Datu assemblywoman Datuk Amar Jamilah Anu was also present.
Regarding the applicant criteria, there is no age limit but the patient must be a Sarawakian and residing in Sarawak.
Other criteria include not being a civil servant, retired civil servant, or Sosco contributor; falling under the B40 (lower income) or M40 (middle income) categories with a per capita income not exceeding RM1,020 per month or according to the current poverty level; and not receiving treatment subsidy or transportation assistance from any government agencies, private or non-governmental organisations (NGOs), or recipients of aid.
However, patients requiring support such as transportation assistance will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Based on estimates, a kidney patient is eligible to apply for the Kidney Patient Special Assistance for haemodialysis treatment in centres operated by NGOs, receiving up to RM1,820 per month (RM130 x 14 sessions) and up to RM21,840 per year (RM1,820 x 12 months).
For those seeking treatment at private healthcare facilities, they are eligible for up to RM2,800 per month (RM200 x 14 sessions) or up to RM33,600 per year (RM2,800 x 12 months).
The assistance also provides transportation support of up to RM700 per month (RM50 x 14 sessions) and up to RM8,400 per year (RM700 x 12 months). — DayakDaily
