Patients thankful they don’t have to travel far for dialysis

SHAH ALAM: Shah Alam Hospital (HSAS) not only benefits residents, but also those in neighbouring areas.

In the past, patients and residents went to Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital (HTAR) in Klang or Sungai Buloh Hospital for treatment.

Now, they do not have to worry about traffic or the distance since HSAS is accessible.

The distance to and from Sungai Buloh Hospital is less than 20km for Shah Alam residents.

HSAS Visitor Board Member chairman Datuk Azhari Shaari said the hospital’s complete, modern and state-of-the-art facilities had not only attracted residents, but also those in surrounding areas.

He said the people, especially those living here, had long waited for a hospital with such facilities in their area.

“Alhamdulillah (praise be God), in early 2016, HSAS commenced full operations and offered various treatments, which include a dialysis centre.

“Patients at the dialysis centre have expressed their gratitude and said they were satisfied with the facilities.

“They were happy with the friendly services offered by its staff and nurses. The majority of patients at the centre received treatment outside Shah Alam before HSAS was established. Hence, the establishment of the hospital benefits the community,” he said after visiting the HSAS dialysis centre recently.

“HSAS spurs economic growth and created jobs at the hospital and surrounding areas.

“It saves patients time as they no longer need to travel far to seek treatment. The surrounding population is within a 10km radius of the hospital.

“This is one of the most sophisticated public hospitals, on a par with its private counterparts.”

Based on the demand and development of patients receiving treatment at the dialysis centre, Dr Azhari said, more equipment could be added.

It was revealed in the Barisan Nasional (BN) manifesto that there would be a dialysis centre in every state seat in Selangor, he said.

“Hence, should BN regain Selangor in the 14th General Election, more dialysis centres will be set up in the state.”

He said efforts had been made to create awareness about HSAS facilities and services.

“We also looked into the problems faced by the hospital and listened to issues faced by patients. Any issue will be conveyed to the Health Ministry.

“Recently, I met Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam, who said the hospital’s facilities needed to be boosted to serve the growing number of patients.”

A kidney patient, Anuar Muharram, 65, was thankful for HSAS as he did not need to travel far to receive treatment.

He had received treatment at a hospital far from his Section 17 home for the past 20 years.

He receive treatment thrice a week, for four hours, at HTAR but has transferred to HSAS.

“I have been suffering from kidney disease for 25 years and have been commuting to HTAR, but when HSAS opened in 2016, I was referred here.

“Alhamdulillah (praise be God), I don’t need to travel far now. I save a lot on travel cost and time.”