(Seated from fifth left) Dr Lee, Didit, Kian Hoo, Bandat and Shui Poh pose with other association members during the meeting.
KAPIT: Kapit Kidney Patients Association (PPBPK) chairman Elvis Didit said the association aimed to promote awareness among its members of the various roles it played to assist members cope with their condition.
Elvis who is Kapit District Officer said among the roles were to provide welfare and recreational facilities for kidney patients, acquire land to build its own building or at least have a place where it can offer hemodialysis treatment.
“Briefly, PPBPK serves as a platform where kidney patients and their family members can receive necessary basic assistance,” he said when chairing a PPBPK meeting here recently attended by community leaders, temenggongs, pemancas, penghulus, healthcare workers and members of the public.
Meanwhile, Kapit Hospital deputy director Dr Francis Lee disclosed there were only 20 hemodialysis machines available for patients in the division. Fifteen are at Kapit Hospital while the other five at Song Health Clinic.
“Sixty kidney patients undergo the hemodialysis run on three shifts daily from morning till late in the evening. Although the number of kidney patients keep on increasing, hemodialysis machines were already running at a maximum,” he added.
Dr Lee explained the critical issue at present is finding space or room to set up more machines at the Kapit Hospital.
PPBPK committee members are made of Didit (chairman) while the deputy chairmen are Temenggong Tan Kian Hoo, Pemanca Haji Wasli Haji Nor and Penghulu Steward Sawing; Penghulu Lawrence Bandat (secretary) assisted by Penghulu Mot @ UndiBajai; Penghulu Sia Shui Poh (treasurer) assisted by Pemanca David Dian.
Other members are Councilor Jantai Maseng, Pemanca Yong Thu Fook, Penghulu Haji Abang Hamzah Abang Bolhassan, Penghulu Esit Nalo, Kapitan Yap Hui Li, James Ling, Fabian Masing, ex-officio Dr Mohamad Hamidi (Kapit Health Department medical officer), Dr Hii King Ching (Kapit Hospital director) and Dariel Teo (officer in charge of Kapit Social Welfare).
The association patron is Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing while the advisers are Hulu Rajang MP Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong and Kapit MP Datuk Alexander NantaLinggi
The immediate task of PPBPK is to recruit members and all community leaders and kidney patients’ family members as well as individuals are welcomed to join.