PATIENTS relying on affordable haemodialysis treatment in Klang, Selangor, will benefit from two new machines donated to replace ageing equipment.
The machines, worth RM108,000, were donated by Eco World Foundation to St John Ambulans Malaysia − Kawasan Pantai Selangor (SJAM-KPS) Foundation.
They will replace units that had been in service for about 20 years at its Klang Station 1 haemodialysis facility in Taman Sri Pesona, Klang, which caters specifically to Hepatitis B patients.
SJAM-KPS Foundation chief operating officer Datuk Yeo Kim Thong said the older machines were being phased out as the models had become obsolete.
“The moment it breaks down, the treatment will be delayed.
“We also can’t get spare parts anymore, so that is why we have to phase them out,” he said.
Station 1 is licensed to operate six haemodialysis machines and currently treats about 12 patients.
Yeo said separate dialysis facilities were needed for such patients as they could not share machines with other patients.
“We are the only centre in Klang with this facility for Hepatitis B patients,” he said.
He added that some patients came from as far as Sabak Bernam as there were few centres catering to Hepatitis B patients.
Yeo said the replaced machines would be kept for spare parts.
The handover ceremony was held at the foundation’s Klang Station 2 haemodialysis facility in Kawasan 6.
It is licensed for 16 machines and currently treats about 78 patients over three shifts.
Yeo said funding was a main pressure faced by the foundation in providing affordable haemodialysis treatment, adding that they raise funds every year from regular donors.
SJAM-KPS Foundation runs 13 haemodialysis centres in Selangor, Perak, Melaka and Sarawak, serving about 700 patients.
Yeo also acknowledged SJAM-KPS Foundation patron Datuk Dr Low Bin Tick for his long-standing support of its haemodialysis services.
Eco World Foundation chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said demand for dialysis treatment was growing, and called for greater government and private-sector support for non-governmental organisation-run centres providing affordable care.
