RM9.7mil spent on kidney patient assistance from January 2020-April 2024

DEBAK: A total of RM9.7 million was spent by the Sarawak government to approve 564 applications for Special Assistance for Kidney Patients (BKPBP) from January 2020 until April 30 this year.

Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said the amount involved new and extended applications to ease the burden of kidney patients in Sarawak.

“BKPBP is an initiative of the Sarawak government to help ease the burden of kidney patients in Sarawak who need treatment, which has been approved by the State Government Meeting Council (MMKN) from March 2020.

“In relation to April this year since its introduction, it has caused financial implications of RM9,755,204.75.

“A total of 234 of them were new applications, while 330 were approved for extended applications,” she said.

Fatimah said this during the Hemodialysis Machine Handover Ceremony (Kidney Patient Special Assistance Initiative) 2024 Betong Division at Dewan Millenia near here, yesterday.

She explained that BKPBP involves clinical assistance such as Arteriovenous Fistula (AVF) installation, erythropoietin (EPO) injection and Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) treatment, in addition to hemodialysis treatment and support assistance (transportation).

Since there is an increase in the number of kidney patients, in addition to the factor of replacing old hemodialysis machines, Fatimah informed that last year the Sarawak Social Welfare Department purchased 24 hemodialysis machines.

“A machine is worth RM41,150 and the entire purchase expenditure amounted to RM987,600.

“The total includes five units given to Betong Division today (yesterday), namely three to be placed at Betong Hospital, one unit each at Saratok Hospital and Debak Health Clinic.

“The rest includes one unit each to Sarawak Heart Centre, Serian Hospital, Kanowit Hospital, Dalat Hospital and Limbang Hospital.

“Lundu Hospital, Sarikei Hospital, Tatau Health Clinic and Lawas Hospital each received two units. Mukah Hospital and Bintulu Hospital received three units,” she said.

Fatimah praised the cooperation between the federal agencies and the Sarawak government in managing the donation of the hemodialysis machine from the Sarawak government.

Deputy Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Datuk Mohammad Razi Sitam; deputy director of Sarawak Social Welfare Department, Norhayati Abdul Rahman; Resident of Betong Division, Richard Michael Abunawas; Health Officer of Betong Division, Dr Mohamad Norhaizam Ahmad @ Narawi; and director of Betong Hospital, Dr David Tan Jung Kang were also present.