LENDING SUPPORT: Lee (left) hands over a mock cheque of RM152,000 for the two HDF machines to Lau.
SIBU: Sibu Kidney Foundation (SKF) chairman Temenggong Vincent Lau Lee Ming wanted the centre to do more to educate the public on the need to look after their kidneys.
He said kidney problem could be controlled and prevented if the people were properly educated.
“We always say that prevention is better than cure. However, in the case of kidney failure, there is no cure,” he said at the launch of SKF new logo held at its premises at Chong Jin Bock Road yesterday morning.
Among those at the function included SMC deputy chairman Daniel Ngieng and SKF manager Ivy Lau.
Lau said people suffering from kidney end-stage renal failure either had to go for dialysis or kidney transplant.
‘Therefore, if by providing education to reduce the chance of kidney failure, I think the government and organisation like SKF should make a more pro-active effort to help educate the people on the need to love their kidneys,” he added.
Lau reminded the SKF working committee to look into this matter soonest.
“I believe the SKF Board of Trustees is always prepared to set aside a certain amount of fund for this purpose,” he noted.
In this regards, he was grateful to ITA College chief executive officer Dato Sri Benny Lee for donating two HDF machines costing RM152,000 to the centre.
“Lee has been very supportive towards SKF and has provided help and assistance in other aspects also,” he said.
Lau was also thankful to designer Timothy Wong for coming up with the new SKF logo free of charge.
The new logo depicts two kidneys joining together to form a butterfly to symbolise the transformation, lightness and freedom.
The colour pink represents healthiness while the grey carries the calming and soothing effects.
Lau said the new logo reflected the spirit of a more dynamic, progressive and above all, caring aspect of the SKF.
Earlier, Lau said since the incorporation of SKF some 20 years ago, built with the support from the Sibu public and the hardwork of the working committee and staff, the centre had established itself to be one of the best privately run non-profit dialysis centres.
“Right from the beginning, we try to provide quality dialysis for the patients.
“All our staff are well trained to do the job in order for the centre to be able to continue operate long term.”
SKF, Lau said, also subsidised the cost based on the needs of the patient.
Since its operation, Lau said a total of 128 patients had undergone kidney dialysis treatment at the centre.
He said 43 of them had
since passed away with 16 having gone for kidney transplant.
Currently, the centre still caters to the needs of 42 patients with 22 machines, an increase from a mere three machines when SKF first started.
“As we move on, we expect the number of patients coming to SKF seeking kidney dialysis to increase, thus putting pressure on the centre. However, we are confident that having very generous support from a caring public, we will be able to face whatever challenges that are ahead of us.”