JOHOR BARU : Non-governmental organisation Yayasan Kebajikan Suria recently donated a dialysis machine to a National Kidney Foundation (NKF) Malaysia treatment facility here.
Yayasan Kebajikan Suria secretary James Ho said this was the first time the NGO donated a dialysis machine which would hopefully help the NKF to cope with an increasing number of patients at their dialysis centre in Permas Jaya, Johor Baru.
He said the donation was a small gesture which he hoped could inspire other well-off individuals or companies to come forward to do the same.
“The contribution is our NGO's way of serving the community. As an NGO, we want to be recognised widely through personal service, fundraising, fellowship and a common aim to serve the local community.
"With the contribution of the dialysis machine, we want to help kidney patients restore their dignity and further improve their ability to take part in the community,” said Ho after presenting the new dialysis machine worth RM46,500 to NKF chief executive officer Chua Hong Wee at the dialysis centre here.
The centre currently serves 68 patients suffering from renal failure and has 12 dialysis machines. On average, a dialysis machine could be used up to seven to eight years.
Ho said the foundation was committed to helping the underprivileged, and admitted that the dialysis centre was in critical need of new machines.
Meanwhile , Chua said the donation was timely given the increasing number of patients undergoing treatment at the centre.
“We have patients aged 26 to 76. The centre in Johor Baru, which was opened in 2001 treats 36 patients with three shifts daily.
“Patients with renal failure are in need of kidney transplants. Since organ donations are scarce, many patients greatly rely on dialysis centres.
“Our aim is to provide as much help and support to our patients, who mostly come from low-income families,” said Chua, adding that each patient undergoes dialysis three times a week, with each session taking about four hours.
With cases of chronic diseases on the rise, Chua urged the people to be more aware of their health and maintain a healthy lifestyle.