Kota Kinabalu: Tenom MP Riduan Rubin fully supported Community Development and People’s Wellbeing Minister Datuk James Ratib’s proposal to set up a dialysis centre in Tenom given a high number of kidney patients in the district and Kemabong sub-district.
He said the Tenom Hospital could not cater to demand of the patients due to a lack of dialysis machines, which leaves the patients with no choice but to seek treatment in Keningau instead.
He added that many patients are still unable able to receive treatment, especially because they need to be treated at least three days a week.
“I always receive complaints from Tenom residents who find it difficult to get dialysis treatment in Tenom.
“The constraint has caused most kidney patients to go to Keningau Hospital, or private clinics in Keningau to receive treatment.
“However, with the treatment cost being so high that patients have to pay as much as RM200 for just one session, it is very burdensome for kidney patients and their families.
“What is even worse is when kidney patients are unable to continue treatment due to constraints and financial problems that they just endure the pain and eventually die,” he said in a statement, Thursday.
To this end, Riduan said he is ready to cooperate with the relevant Government departments and agencies and assist as much as he can to ensure that a dialysis center can be established in Tenom.
He added that during a previous meeting with James, it has been agreed in principle that Tenom will be given priority to establish the dialysis center under the Community Development and People’s Wellbeing Ministry.
“I express my appreciation to YB Datuk James Ratib who is sensitive and thorough in dealing with the problems faced by the people, especially in the Tenom district,” he said.
On Monday, James had proposed that a dialysis center be set up in Keningau, so that patients did not have to wait for weeks to get the treatment.
He said if there was an opportunity to do so, it would be proposed to the Petronas Foundation and General Welfare Services Department (JPKA) to identify six central areas.
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