No reason to shut dialysis centre
theStarOnline 4th April, 2011
IT was shocking to read “Blow to kidney patients” (Sunday Star, April 3), about a haemodialysis centre in Penang being ordered to shut down for not having a resident nephrologist.
According to the report, the centre, run by a charitable organisation, offers free treatment for the poor, with trained nurses monitoring the progress of the patients.
The financially-tight patients undergoing dialysis at this centre can count their lucky stars as they are getting free treatment. Other dialysis centres often charge for each session.
More often than not, end-stage renal failure (ESRF) patients come from the low-income group, their paycheck just sufficient to see them through their daily lives. How can they afford expensive treatment?
According to the chairman of the affected centre, the state has 11 nephrologists in total.
The state in which I reside has much fewer than that number. I do not see a reason to shut down the centre for lack of a resident nephrologist. Not all dialysis centres have one.
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