BINTULU: Facilities for kidney dialysis here are much needed to cater to demand from patients grappling with kidney diseases.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said he will mobilise support from both the public and corporate sectors to fulfil this need.
“I will appeal to Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg to allocate a parcel of land and I suggest equipping the haemodialysis centres of both Bintulu and Sibu with 50 to 100 dialysis units each.
“Once these facilities are built, they will be entrusted to the local health departments for management and ongoing improvements, with a primary focus on aiding low-income kidney patients,” he said.
He said this in his Facebook page after accompanying Minister of Health Dr. Zaliha Mustafa and her delegation from the Ministry of Health on their visit here, recently.
He said the financial strain that kidney patients endure is substantial.
“Beyond the thrice-weekly dialysis sessions, there’s the additional cost of catheter devices, transportation expenses and medications. These expenses are very taxing on even the M40 income households, let alone those within the B40 bracket,” he stressed.
Tiong who is Bintulu MP said the meeting with Dr Zaliha has served as a promising start to upgrading the medical and health development here.
“I wish to extend my sincere gratitude to Dr. Zaliha for her visit and the invaluable funding provided, particularly for the upgrades at the Bintulu Hospital and also Klinik Kesihatan Ibu dan Kanak-Kanak Kidurong.
“These enhancements will temporarily assist in covering both services and equipment at these facilities.
“Looking ahead, my hope is for all stakeholders to persevere in our collective efforts to better health outcomes together.
“Let’s aim to strike a balance between maintaining affordable government hospital charges while upholding the highest standards of medical care.
“This, I believe, is essential for the greater good of public health in our community,” Tiong said.
