Liew (left) and Dr Maria in a discussion.
KOTA KINABALU : – Community Development and People’s Well-being Minister Datuk James Ratib has initiated the move to contribute seven new dialysis machines together with consumables for the use of 48 end-stage renal failure and ‘dialyset for’ 617 on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients at Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) under the SMJ Sabah Sejahtera health assistance scheme.
Announcing this after the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Seri Christina Liew said the patients will also receive free haemodialysis treatment for one year.
“The gesture of the State Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor reflects its caring concern and commitment to improve healthcare facilities in government hospitals. Ensuring the well-being of the people is among our priorities, especially those who cannot afford to pay for their treatment expenses,” she said in a statement today.
Liew, who is also Api-Api assemblywoman, will deliver the new machines to State Health Director Dr Maria Suleiman at QEH next month.
“I have conveyed the good news to the director in a brief meeting,” she said.
Dr Maria said the government’s contribution is a great help to patients from the B40 income category.
According to her, there are 474 dialysis machines in 23 hospitals and two health clinics but only 435 are functioning well as the rest are out of order.
“Some 1,336 patients with end-stage renal failure are receiving haemodialysis treatment thrice a week in 23 government hospitals and two health clinics throughout the state,” she said.
