SELANGOR: Over the past 10 years, Malaysia has seen a 100% increase in the number of new dialysis patients that suffer from chronic kidney disease (CKD), with an estimated 7,400 new patients each year requiring regular dialysis. In its latest effort to assist the needy, Eco World Foundation was quick to respond to a call by MAA Medicare Charitable Foundation, a charitable organisation in Selangor to help with the replacement of a dialysis machine which has worn out over the years.

An average lifespan for a dialysis machines runs from 7 to 8 years. The cost of the new dialysis machine ranges from approximately RM40,000 to RM45,000.

MAA Medicare Charitable Foundation offers highly subsidised dialysis treatment to patients who are suffering from end stage renal disease. To date, all patients are taken care with the assistance of 12 visiting nephrologists, 105 nursing staff and management team of 20, providing medical care and expertise to patients including counselling services, dietary and nutritional advice, health checks and blood tests. Patients have access to a total of 200 dialysis machines, which they depend upon three times a week, for up to 4 hours per session.

At the handing over ceremony at MAA Medicare Charity Dialysis Center (Selangor), Eco World Foundation Trustee Philip Mathews said the Foundation was delighted to be able to help the centre out by replacing a machine. “We are honoured to be given the opportunity to contribute towards a noble cause which we hope will help towards reducing the financial burden of kidney failure patients,” said Mathews.

Mathews also added that today’s donation was in line with one of the Foundation’s aim of easing the sufferings of ill stricken members of the society. “We are committed to use our resources productively to create healthy and happy citizens and we will continue to do so as long as we can,” said Mathews.

Apart from championing Education through the Foundation’s main programme – Eco World Students Aid Programme (SAP), which provides financial assistance to underprivileged primary and secondary students with the objective of keeping children of all races in school, the Foundation also contributes to needy Malaysians by providing financial donations and aid to the less fortunate communities towards the betterment of their health and living conditions.

At the end of 2017, the number of kidney patients needing dialysis has risen to 42,503. Currently, there are approximately 20,000 people on the kidney transplant waiting list. Mathews expressed his concerns at this alarming rate and advised Malaysians to adopt a good and healthy lifestyle and conduct regular medical check-ups for early detection of the disease.

“This is not the first time we have donated dialysis machines to NGO centres and it will not be the last. Up to now, the Foundation has spent approximately RM260,000 in total on dialysis machines. I would also like to urge more corporations or individuals to reach out and bring hope to unfortunate victims of kidney disease,” said Mathews.

Also present at the handing over ceremony was Eco World Foundation CEO Dato Captain (Retired) Liew Siong Sing and MAA Medicare Charitable Foundation AVP Dr Azman Sharif.