Donors give dialysis machines to new MRC kidney centre
At the moment, we are still waiting for the operating license from the Health Ministry before this centre can start operating. This is a purpose-built centre, just for dialysis, and it is the biggest in the country.
Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin
MIRI: The newly-completed Malaysian Red Crescent (MRC) Kidney Dialysis Centre in Permyjaya, Tudan has received 21 sets of dialysis machines from corporate bodies, nongovernment organisations (NGO) and individuals.
According to MRC Miri Dialysis Centre chairman Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, the centre can accommodate 40 dialysis machines.
“At the moment, we are still waiting for the operating license from the Health Ministry before this centre can start operating.
“This is a purpose-built centre, just for dialysis, and it is the biggest in the country,” he said when leading a group of people to visit the centre yesterday.
The visitors comprised representatives of the organisations which donated the dialysis machines, including from Petronas and Shell Sarawak.
Once it starts operating, the centre will cater to a high number of patients from the B40 group in Permyjaya.
“The present dialysis centre we have in town (at Jalan Bulan Sabit) only has 26 sets of dialysis machines for 364 patients.
“But once this new centre in Permyjaya starts operating, more than 100 of the patients will be transferred here, as most of them are from Permyjaya. So they will not have to go far for their dialysis,” said Lee.
He added that this will also reduce the burden of the other centre which can then focus more on patients in the southern part of Miri city.
“I must thank Mirians for their long-term support including big corporate bodies, individuals, NGO and all who donated to the centre. Everybody chipped in and played their part in the success of this centre,” Lee remarked.
Also present during the visit were Miri Health Officer Dr. P Raviwharmman Packierisamy, Miri Hospital director Dr Jack Wong, and officer-in-charge of MRC Miri Dialysis Centre Dr Mohd Arif Abdullah.