Dialysis centre needed in Tenom too, says MP

KOTA KINABALU: A Sabah MP has welcomed the proposal by the state government to establish much-needed dialysis centres in districts with many patients suffering from kidney ailments, including in Tenom.

Tenom MP Riduan Rubin said this following the proposal by Sabah Community Development and People's Well-being Minister Datuk James Ratib on setting up such a centre in the Keningau district earlier this week.

He said the dialysis centre was timely for Keningau and much-needed in interior areas, but pointed out that the Tenom district also needed such a centre.

Riduan said government hospitals could not accommodate the growing demands for dialysis from a high number of patients in Tenom as well as from the Kemabong sub-district.

"I have received numerous complaints from the people that they could not receive treatment because of insufficient machines at the Tenom Hospital.

"Due to this, patients with kidney ailments have to travel to neighbouring Keningau to seek treatment there or go to private clinics.

"But the high cost for the treatment – as much as RM200 for one session – is a burden for these patients and their families.

"What's worse is that some can not afford to continue the treatment," he said in a statement on Thursday (Feb 9).

On Monday (Feb 6), Ratib proposed setting up a dialysis service centre in Keningau so that patients could receive treatment.

Riduan said he was ready to assist relevant authorities so that the centre can be set up as soon as possible.

"After my meeting with the Minister and the State Local Government and Housing Ministry deputy permanent secretary Stanley Chong during a Chinese New Year Open House recently, Ratib has agreed in principle for Tenom to be given priority over the setting up of the first dialysis centre under his ministry.

"Hopefully, this can be implemented soon to serve the needs of the patients," he said.