Kota Kinabalu: The State Government has allocated over RM8.5 million in subsidies to assist End-Stage Renal Failure (ESRF) patients in accessing haemodialysis treatment.
Community Development and People’s Wellbeing Minister Datuk James Ratib said the implementation of the SMJ Health Assistance Scheme, also known as Sabah Sejahtera, aims to improve the survival rate and quality of life of ESRF patients.
“The first phase of the scheme focuses on providing haemodialysis services for 1,385 patients in clinics and 797 patients undergoing home-based treatment (CAPD).
“The allocation for this scheme includes over RM4.02 million for treatment costs and RM4.5 million for the supply of 100 haemodialysis machines across 24 hospitals and one health clinic in Sabah,” he told a press conference on the approval of the 100 dialysis machines.
According to James, an ESRF patient would need to pay over RM2,000 per month if they sought haemodialysis treatment from private providers.
“With the addition of these 100 dialysis machines, we can certainly help kidney patients receive the necessary treatment.
“We are deeply saddened to see our people unable to access dialysis machines in government hospitals, forcing them to seek treatment in private clinics or dialysis centres,” he said.
In addition to the 100 haemodialysis machines, the subsidy also covers treatment charges at clinics and CAPD, including a registration fee of RM1, treatment charges (RM13), dialysate centre fees (RM100) and specialist consultation fees (RM5).
Sabah Health Department Director Dr Maria Suleiman said there are currently 474 haemodialysis machines in health facilities under the department, but only 435 are functioning properly, while 39 are out of order.
“The patient-to-machine ratio for existing haemodialysis patients is 3.32, which is still below 4.0 and manageable.
“However, if all ESRF patients were to undergo haemodialysis treatment, the patient-to-machine ratio would rise to 5.35, exceeding 4.0, meaning the available haemodialysis machines would not be able to meet the demand for this service,” she explained.
ESRF is a condition in which the patient’s kidney function deteriorates to the point where it can no longer maintain fluid, electrolyte balance or effectively remove metabolic waste from the body.
The number of ESRF patients in Sabah has been on the rise since 2020, with a total of 2,133 patients recorded last year.