MRC Miri dialysis centre gets RM5,000 boost from Perkim
MIRI: The Malaysian Red Crescent ( MRC) Miri District’s Kidney Dialysis Centre (KDC) has received a financial boost from the Miri branch of Malaysian Muslim Welfare Organisation ( Perkim).
Perkim Miri head Sharifah Fatimah Tuanku Fauzi and its head of welfare committee Dayang Heriah Abang Ahmad jointly led the 20-member delegation that also included staff members of Tabung Baitumal Miri, for the visit to the centre yesterday to hand over the RM5,000 donation.
On hand to welcome the visitors were MRC Miri KDC chief operating officer Jurip Ngaop and its nursing superintendent Dayang Reta Abdullah.
It is learnt that the KDC requires millions of ringgit every year to help thousands of patients, especially those from poor families.
Apart from financial contribution, Perkim Miri also gave away gifts to 150 patients who underwent dialysis at the centre recently.
In his remarks, Jurip said the donation was a timely one and he hoped that more corporations, non-governmental organisations ( NGOs) and caring members of society would follow suit in giving help to the centre.
“The number of patients rises every year, and so is our operating expenditure – on average, our annual spending reaches RM6.7 million,” he said
Currently, 321 patients are receiving dialysis treatment at the KDC, averaging from three to four sessions a week. It is also said that 86 per cent of the patients need financial assistance.
The KDC is regarded as the largest dialysis centre in Sarawak and one of the most modern among similar facilities in the northern part of the state.
Jurip also extended his appreciation to Perkim Miri and Tabung Baitulmal Miri not only for the donation, but also their keenness to know more about kidney disease and the problems facing those affected.
Meanwhile, Dayang Heriah said the donation was the second given to KDC by Perkim Miri.
“It is part of our welfare and community services for this year. We assure the KDC that our committee would look into suggestions for future cooperation on educational programmes including those related to prevention of kidney failure and other related health complications like diabetes, heart problems and hypertension – all of which are contributing factors to kidney failure.