KUANTAN: The construction of hemodialysis centres in all Felda regions is seen as a necessity, due to the increasing number of patients among settlers, as well as helping to ease the financial burden incurred each time seeking treatment at hospitals which are located quite far from the settlements.
Head of settlers in Felda Chini Timur 3 in Pekan, Zaid Sidek, 60, hopes that Felda Gugusan Chini will be among those selected to enjoy having such a facility, since there are chronic kidney patients there who have to travel more than 50 kilometres each way to Muadzam Shah Hospital, Rompin, for dialysis treatment.
"Treatment is three times a week, which means that the total cost of petrol for those who use their own vehicles is also high. If a (hemodialysis centre) can be established here, the cost can be saved.
"The cost of travel, if collected every week and month, is a large amount, because this is ongoing treatment, for us, the money can be used for other important needs such as daily necessities," he said when contacted by Bernama here today (July 10).
On Friday at the national-level Felda Settlers Day 2023 in Serdang, Selangor, Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced the construction of 12 hemodialysis centres, with an allocation of RM21 million, in all Felda regions and one at the Yayasan Felda (Felda Foundation) premise.
Hasnah Abdul Ghani, 63, a settler of Felda Chini 5, also located in Pekan, said that the existence of hemodialysis centres in all Felda regions is indeed necessary because the number of those who need treatment is increasing due to the age factor.
Despite not needing treatment, Hasnah, who joined the settlement in 1983, said there are individuals she knows who need to go all the way to Pekan Hospital, which is more than 60 kilometres away, to get treatment, which is quite a challenge for the elderly.
"People our age expect help from others when it comes to travelling long distances, and it is usually the children who will take us for treatment. If there is a hemodialysis centre nearby, it is easy for them to take us and pick us up, especially for children who are self-employed being daily-wage earners.
"However, if the whole day is used up to go to hospital, the income for that day is lost. If the hemodialysis centre is close by, they can go back to work while waiting for the treatment to be completed, because it takes four hours," she said.
Mohd Asri Lazim, 38, the head of settlers at Felda Lurah Bilut in Bentong, said that the government's proactive measures show concern for the health of the settlers and appreciation for the sacrifices of the first generation, who on average, are already senior citizens.
"The construction of a hemodialysis centre is indeed good news for the first generation because health is important for them. The first generation toiled to explore and clear the forest to cultivate the land with crops.
"It would be nice if their sacrifices are rewarded by making their health matters easier at such an age, and if the facility is provided, there will be users," he said.
Mohd Sahrin Abdullah, 45, of Felda Keratong 5, said that a hemodialysis centre can be created by upgrading the existing health clinic in the Felda area, which is seen as very practical because it is easily accessible by all residents.
"The older we get, the more people are diagnosed with multiple diseases. It is easy if the necessary treatment is available in the Felda area and there is no need to go far. Furthermore, once they have completed the treatment the patients are not physically strong and energetic.
"It's a pity to see them, especially the elderly, who have to travel quite a distance every time they undergo hemodialysis treatment," he said.
Mohamad Shofi Mat Isa, 39, a settler from Felda Hilir 3 in Kuantan, also believes that the existence of a hemodialysis centre can help reduce the numbers of those undergoing treatment in government hospitals.
Apart from Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital (HTAA), Mohamad Shofi said that an alternative for dialysis treatment is at a private treatment centre located in or near Kuantan town, more than 30km from the Felda settlement.
"However, there are definitely many who go to government facilities because the cost at private hemodialysis centres is hundreds of ringgit per session of treatment. Not everyone can afford to spend thousands of ringgit every month, because the treatment is not once a week.
"We know the number of chronic kidney patients is increasing every year. If settlers undergo treatment at Felda itself, the patient quota at the hospital can be given to other groups, especially the B40 or M40 groups in urban areas," he said. – Bernama