Concern over hike in number of kidney patients

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Azman (fourth left) hands over a haemodialysis machine to Lay Ping. Kwang Khim is at third left.

Azman (fourth left) hands over a haemodialysis machine to Lay Ping. Kwang Khim is at third left.

KUCHING: The number of insured members of Social Security Organisation (Socso) with kidney problems is rising at an alarming rate of 17 to 20 per cent a year.

Minister of Human Resources Datuk Seri Richard Riot said the situation was worrying because these patients might end up lacking the ability to work, which would result in lower productivity.

As such, he said since 1999, Socso had put in place a dialysis assistance programme to assist these members, particularly those with lower income.

He added that up to June this year, a total of 13,002 insured members of Socso had been benefitting from the programme since its commencement.

“For the time being, as many as 474 dialysis centres throughout the country have been appointed as Socso panel to ensure that those insured can continue to receive dialysis treatment,” he said.

His text of speech was read by Socso chief executive Dato Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed during the handover of two haemodialysis machines valued at RM80,000 donated by Socso to Mawar Dialysis Centre, Pending Branch here yesterday.

Last year alone, Riot said, Socso spent RM164.9 million to fund dialysis treatment under the programme.

“This amount shows a 4.36 per cent increase against the RM158.1 million spent in 2014. As of June this year, Socso has already doled out RM67.5 million for a similar cause, and this amount will continue to soar.”

According to the minister, a total of 757 insured members of Socso in Sarawak are presently receiving dialysis treatment, which is subsidised by Socso.

Besides 20 government hospitals across the state, he said these kidney patients could also go for dialysis treatment at 15 other dialysis centres, which are under Socso panel.

In Sarawak alone up to June this year, Riot said Socso had spent RM8.2 million on dialysis treatment for its insured members.

“Socso realises that the number of kidney patients is on the rise, and that the number of haemodialysis machines at those centres may not be sufficient to meet the need.

“Hence, Socso has been donating haemodialysis machines to the appointed centres since 1998.”

He pointed out that up to June this year, Socso had donated a total of 512 haemodialysis machines worth RM20.89 million to various dialysis centres as well as government hospitals throughout Malaysia.

He further said the Mawar Dialysis Centre was given two new haemodialysis machines because it had been an active member among those on the Socso panel. The centre now has 11 haemodialysis machines.

Riot hoped that the centre would continue to provide quality treatment and services to kidney patients, particularly to insured members of Socso.

“I was also made to understand that 23 insured members of Socso are currently receiving treatment at Mawar Dialysis Centre.”

Yesterday, Socso also handed over three haemodialysis machines to Sarikei Hospital.

On hand to receive the machines was Sarikei Hospital director Dr Tey Siew Chang, witnessed by Mawar Dialysis Centre chairperson Datin Chua Lay Ping and Mawar Medical Centre chief executive officer Chua Kwang Khim.