KOTA KINABALU: The Health Department plans to set up complete dialysis services in all hospitals in the State to ensure delivery of these services is more inclusive to all kidney patients.

State Health Director Dr Christina Rundi said the department has been able to provide dialysis services in all hospitals in Sabah except in two areas – Kunak and Pitas.

"We hope this year we will be able to provide dialysis services in these two hospitals and with that, to make all hospitals in Sabah a place that can provide dialysis services," she said at the State's World Kidney Day celebration at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, here, Saturday.

Dr Rundi stated that Kuala Penyu district recently received its new dialysis equipment and had started dialysis services early this year.

She added that the department is still working hard to ensure kidney patients can undergo dialysis treatment in their respective district hospital without having to move to another district to get treatment as there is still a shortage of dialysis machines in some places.

"These are the things that we plan to do for Sabah," she said, adding that people need to look after their kidneys in order not to get to the point where they have to wait for dialysis machines to be placed in their area. Dr Rundi said every year, the number of Malaysians suffering from kidney failure is increasing.

"In 2012, a total of 20,971 citizens of this country were undergoing dialysis treatment and this number increased to 31,637 in 2013, of which 6,222 were new dialysis patients.

"The number is expected to continue increasing if health care measures are not prioritised," she said.

She said in addition to dialysis, alternative treatment for patients suffering from kidney failure as well as that of other organs such as the heart, lungs and heart is through organ transplantation.

"Currently, an approximate 20,000 patients are waiting for organs, mainly kidney patients.

"Therefore, while waiting for a suitable organ, a patient who suffers from kidney failure, must undergo dialysis treatment," she said.

Dr Rundi said the objectives for this year's World Kidney Day celebration themed "Fresh Life for All" were to create public awareness about kidney care, highlighting issues relating to the treatment of diseases, educating the public about the importance of kidney care from an early stage and to detect undiagnosed patients through free health screenings.

She called on more parties including non-governmental organisations and the private sector to come forward to help the Government, especially the Ministry of Health in addressing the issue of kidney disease.

The event was jointly organised by the Nephrology Unit and Health Promotion Unit of the QEH. Health talks, health screening and exhibition were also conducted at the event. Also present were QEH director Dr Heric Coray, Nephrology Unit Head Dr Wong Koh Wei and Health Promotion Unit Head Norsaadah Omar.

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