Klang:The Eco World Foundation has contributed two new haemodialysis machines worth RM108,000 to Yayasan St John Ambulans Malaysia - Kawasan Pantai Selangor (SJAM-KPS). This donation aims to replace outdated equipment that had been in use for over 20 years.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the chairman of Eco World Foundation, Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, highlighted the increasing demand for dialysis treatment across the nation, with over 10,000 new patients annually. He emphasized that for patients, these machines are essential, not a luxury, as regular visits to dialysis centers are necessary for their long-term treatment. The condition of the existing machines at the SJAM-KPS Foundation prompted the urgent need for new equipment to ensure uninterrupted patient care.
During a press conference at the SJAM-KPS Klang Haemodialysis Centre, Lee handed over the machines to Datuk Yeo Kim Thong, the chief operating officer of SJAM-KPS Foundation. Also present were members of the Eco World Foundation Board of Trustees, including Tan Sri Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad and Philip Mathews, along with Liew Tian Xiong and Sri Ram Sivasambu from Eco World Development Group Bhd.
The new machines will be installed at the SJAM-KPS Klang Haemodialysis Centre (Station 1), which serves patients with Hepatitis B. Lee stated that specialized isolation equipment is vital to prevent cross-infection among patients, especially between those with Hepatitis B and Hepatitis A, the latter treated at Station 2.
Since 2018, Eco World Foundation has donated a total of five dialysis machines to the SJAM-KPS Foundation, valued at RM245,500. Lee cited data from the 33rd Report of the Malaysian Dialysis and Transplant Registry 2025, noting that 57,638 patients received dialysis last year, including 9,905 new cases. He urged both the government and private sector to support haemodialysis centers, especially those run by NGOs, which offer more affordable services.
NGO-run centers charge around RM150 per session, significantly less than the RM280 to RM300 at private centers. This cost difference is crucial for patients, particularly those from the B40 and M40 income groups, who need three dialysis sessions weekly. Lee also pointed out the challenges posed by long waiting lists and a scarcity of organ donors, which make transplantation difficult, leaving many patients dependent on regular dialysis treatment.