Foundation to launch year-long recycling competition next month

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(From right) Wong,Ivy and Vincent are seen with a patient undergoing dialysis using a HDF machine.

SIBU: Sibu Kidney Foundation (SKF) will kick off its one-year ‘Recycling Campaign Competition’ this Sept 1.

The programme will run until Aug 31 next year.

According to SKF board of trustees chairman Temenggong Dato Vincent Lau, the objective of the competition is to raise RM70,000 meant for the purchase of a new haemodiafiltration (HDF) machine.

It also serves to create awareness among the people of the importance of looking after the environment, he adds.

“I think in Malaysia, we have the most number of dialysis machines. SKF, to date, has a total of 27 haemodialysis and HDF machines.

“Out of the 27, 13 are HDF machines,” he told reporters at SKF premises here yesterday.

Adding on, Vincent said the foundation had always been ‘most willing and ready’ to provide assistance to kidney patients, like putting in place a HDF machine despite it being much more costly than a haemodialysis machine.

“Some of the benefits are HDF can decrease morbidity and mortality (rates); it can provide better clearance of waste products such as phosphate and Beta 2 microglobulin, which are difficult to be dialysed out if using haemodialysis; and (HDF can) reduce complications during dialysis.

“The HDF machine can cost between RM76,000 and RM80,000 per unit, while the cost per treatment is RM285,” he said.

Vincent also noted that the number of kidney patients receiving treatment at the facility had increased from 38 patients in 2016, to 67 as at August this year.

“The increase in number of patients will increase our burden in terms of manpower.

“Despite this, we will continue to provide the best dialysis service, especially to those with financial constraints.”

On the year-long competition, Lau said that it had been held four times since 2003, and each edition had received good response from the communities, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and schools.

The competition is divided into two categories – the open category is for NGOs, associations, religious bodies, as well as those from the government and private sectors; while the education category is slated for entries from kindergartens, primary and secondary schools as well as institutions of higher learning.

For the competition, participants can collect recyclable items such as old newspapers, discarded plastics, old books, used aluminium cans, papers and paper-based products like boxes, egg trays, expired batteries and discarded metals.

The top five participants in each category will receive prizes sponsored by recyclable items collector BM Agencies Sdn Bhd.

For more details, contact SKF’s Emily or Amy via 084-343 500 / 084-344 990 (fax), or send emails to [email protected]

SKF manager Ivy Lau and her assistant April Wong were also present at the press conference.