Get nephrologists to visit centres

KAS, Shah Alam, Your Opinions @The Star Online  6th April 2011

ONCE a person has contracted a chronic kidney problem which requires haemodialysis treatment, he is faced with Hobson’s choice – seek treatment or die.

He will also be burdened with other inherent problems which entail a change in lifestyle.

Each patient needs to undergo haemodialysis treatment three times a week and each treatment takes four hours.

To many poor or lower income patients, the major problem is finance because the cost for each treatment may vary from RM150 to RM250 depending on where the treatment is conducted. Apart from this there is also the travelling expenses involved.

The cost of treatment at RM150 per session three times weekly, 12 times a month and 144 times a year, amount to RM23,400 a year without taking into consideration the travelling expenses. At RM250 per session, the amount is RM39,000 a year.

Read letter in full here