KUCHING: Kidney patients who have yet to receive any assistance are urged to apply for a special kidney aid introduced by the state government last year.
Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said patients must be Sarawakians and it doesn’t matter if they are going to receive treatment at government-run haemodialysis centre or private hospital.
“So far our ministry has not received any application from kidney patients yet,” she told reporters after the handing over of KGC application forms from Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Pending branch and Batu Kawa Service Centre at her office, Baitul Makmur Building yesterday.
She said it was one of the state government’s commitments to helping the needy to lessen their financial burden.
Last year, Fatimah in a press conference mentioned that the state government had allocated RM30.7 million in special aid for kidney patients over a five-year period.
The allocations cover annual distribution of haemodialysis machines, emolument for contract officers, clinical support or supplementary assistance.
“Some of the haemodialysis machines at the hospitals are old and once they break down they could affect the time of patients seeking treatment, therefore the special aid will also be used to purchase new machines,” she said.
A new haemodialysis machine would cost RM42,000.
Sarawakians who are under the B40 or M40 group can apply for the special aid, provided they are not civil servants, pensioners or receiving Socso aid.
Application form for the special assistance can be obtained at Welfare Office, District Office, Resident Office, hospitals and government clinics statewide.
The form can also be downloaded at the State Welfare Department website https://kwkpk.sarawak.gov.my/modules/web/index.php?lang=en .
