Launching Heamodialysis Programme in Penang on 9 Dec 2008

S P Setia Foundation launches Haemodialysis Treatment Subsidy Programme in Penang. Pledges RM120,000 annually to kidney patients in low income families

Speech by Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye

Salutations

Thank you for coming to this simple yet meaningful event. Health is a commodity that is much sought after as without it, one’s life can be hampered in many ways. Imagine if one suffered from something like kidney failure and the only way to continue leading a normal life is to go through periodic medical treatment.

These medical treatment may be as frequent as three time a week and is not cheap. For many, being diagnosed with a medical condition that requires periodic treatment may seem daunting, more so when one does not earn much and has to support a family.

Ladies and gentlemen

Every year, between 2,500 to 3,000 Malaysians are diagnosed with kidney failure and have to undergo haemodialysis treatment to lead a normal life. On average, a haemodialysis patient can spend between RM750 to RM1,500 a month on treatment, depending on how severe the condition is.

With escalating costs of living, this is a hefty sum for many low income families. This is where S P Setia Foundation sees itself playing an active role. The Foundation has always been sensitive to the needs of Malaysians who require medical assistance and who find it difficult to pay for their treatment.

This year, the Foundation has made a commitment to lend a hand to kidney failure patients from low income families by subsidizing their treatment. The programme was launched in August with a pledge of RM600,000 yearly to help poor patients in the Klang Valley, Penang and Johor. The reason why these three states were chosen is because S P Setia Bhd has a strong presence here.

Ladies and Gentlemen.

Today, it costs a haemodialysis patient RM110 per treatment at a non-profit haemodialysis centre. For those with a household income of less than RM5,000, the Ministry of Health provides a subsidy of RM50 for each treatment, which works out to RM60 for each haemodialysis session.

On average, a kidney patient needs to undergo three treatments a week which amounts to RM780 per month. There are other circumstances which require additional treatment which can come up to RM1,500 a month.

This is indeed a hefty sum for a low income family, which is why the Foundation has deemed it fit to start a subsidy programme for haemodialysis patients in need.

I am pleased to announce that after the Klang Valley, we are now pledging support in the sum of RM120,000 yearly for kidney failure patients in Penang. We have identified 11 haemodialysis centres run by NGOs where we will subsidise RM500 a month for each patient to be paid directly to the centre.

Ladies and gentlemen.

We see our contribution as a small gesture in assisting kidney patients who find it increasingly difficult to pay for rising medical costs. If we can help them in any way to lead a normal life, we would have achieved part of the Foundation’s mission statement.

We can only aim to understand what it is like to face such challenges everyday and any little way that the Foundation can contribute to make these patients’ lives more comfortable is something that we are proud to do.


Thank you.