Kuala Lumpur, 12 June 2022 – In a bid to provide their underprivileged kidney failure patients with the necessary care and support, the National Kidney Foundation of Malaysia (NKF Malaysia) has teamed up with The Temple of Fine Arts Malaysia − a sanctuary for the arts, and its sister organisation, Yayasan Shivanjali with the aspiration to help patients access dialysis treatment and also promote widespread awareness of kidney disease.
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed recently between the three non-profit organisations for the establishment of a new charitable dialysis centre which will be known as Pusat Dialisis NKF – Siva Santa (NKF – Siva Santa Dialysis Centre). The centre will be located in Sungai Bakau in Rawang and will comprise ten dialysis machines which will cater for three shifts a day, six days a week – accommodating about 60 patients at the centre. With a RM 1.2 million investment for this dialysis centre, NKF Malaysia and its partners aim to cater to the high demand for dialysis treatment of end-stage renal failure patients in Rawang.
“This is NKF’s first dialysis facility in Rawang and we are extremely thankful to be part of this joint venture with The Temple of Fine Arts Malaysia and Yayasan Shivanjali. They are the perfect partners for this collaboration as their mission is to serve the underprivileged communities, which is in line with NKF’s drive to raise the standards of care provided to patients with kidney failure and those who are suffering from various kidney-related diseases,” said Khor Xin Yun, Chief Executive Officer of NKF Malaysia.
She added that the new dialysis centre will be operational from 7am to 9pm on Mondays to Saturdays and will provide standard dialysis care to patients − ensuring the best possible outcome with convenient scheduling and dedicated staff. “Currently, there are no government hospitals in Rawang but only a Klinik Kesihatan Rawang and about 50 patients have to travel from Rawang to Hospital Selayang, or other NKF Dialysis Centres or private dialysis centres for their treatments every alternate day. However, Pusat Dialisis NKF - Rotary Damansara (NKF – Damansara Rotary Dialysis Centre) in Selayang is running almost at its full capacity and therefore, we hope with this collaboration, the dialysis patients who are staying closer to Rawang can be transferred to this new dialysis centre instead,” she said.
NKF’s first dialysis centre was established back in 1993 and is housed at Jalan Hang Lekiu, Kuala Lumpur. Over the years, NKF has grown tremendously with the support of many parties – as of today, 1,700 dialysis patients are receiving subsidised dialysis treatment across 28 NKF dialysis centres nationwide. NKF has expanded its role from being just a dialysis treatment provider, to becoming a one-stop national resource centre for all kidney-related matters.
With its latest dialysis centre hopefully to open its doors by the end of 2023, NKF Malaysia can continue making a difference in the lives of underprivileged kidney patients by providing access to dialysis treatment for patients in the surrounding townships between Rawang, Shah Alam, Kuala Selangor, Serendah, Sungai Buloh and Selayang.
“We have a duty to help those in need and we believe any action, no matter how small, can lead to creating a better world. On this note, we are grateful to be part of this journey with NKF Malaysia, who is persistently committed to providing education, research and advocacy on all matters related to kidney health and responding through engagement, support and sustainable quality treatment for those suffering from kidney disease with their holistic care,” said Dr M. Paranjothy the President of The Temple of Fine Arts Malaysia.
“This is the Yayasan Shivanjali’s way of showing that we care and that we are always here to help. We aim to actively change lives and by collaborating with trusted organisations such as NKF Malaysia, we seek to raise awareness about kidney disease and directly impact communities in need. I also urge more people out there to donate to organisations like NKF Malaysia so that they can continue saving lives with your kind support,” said S.Palanivel , Chairman of the board of Yayasan Shivanjali.
For more information, visit nkf.org.my or call 03-7954 9048 ext. 208
