Kuala Lumpur, 24 April 2020 - Even during the Covid-19 pandemic, Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) remains a national health problem – primarily caused by either diabetes or high blood pressure –affecting approximately 2.9 million Malaysians. Haemodialysis still needs to be carried out for affected kidney patients, requiring trained staff to deliver the four-hour treatment to patients, three times a week. As life and treatments goes on, dialysis centres will need to take precautionary steps to ensure the respiratory health of their frontline healthcare personnel as they continuously assist patients with their treatments.
The leading non-profit organization that has been providing subsidised dialysis treatment in Malaysia for over 30 years, National Kidney Foundation of Malaysia (NKF) has taken universal precautions to ensure all of its doctors and nurses who are working hard are safe during these tough times, including following the infection control and prevention protocols as well as providing full personal protective equipment (PPE), when required.
As people with kidney disease can have weaker immune systems − making it harder to fight infections − sanitizers, masks and other protective equipment are also equally important to safeguard patients' health and wellbeing.
"During this critical time, while the rest of us are protected at home, our doctors and nurses are out there saving lives by providing subsidised dialysis treatment for our patients during these tough times. As our nation battles with Covid-19 cases throughout this movement control order (MCO), our healthcare professionals and frontliners brave the storm carrying out their duties. The most basic yet important necessities they need right now include personal protective equipment (PPE) like disposable gowns, gloves, face masks and shields as well as hand sanitizers so they can reduce the risks of exposure,” said Dato' Dr Zaki Morad Mohamad Zaher, Chairman of NKF Malaysia.
How Malaysians have helped NKF during MCO
Expressing his gratitude, he added: "On behalf of NKF, we are grateful for the generosity of the caring corporates and citizens − providing us with the much-needed support. We will ensure that the medical supplies and cash contributions towards the NKF Covid-19 Fund totalling more than RM300,000 will be used prudently to protect the respiratory health of our healthcare personnel across the nation – giving us the encouragement and motivation to continuously carry out our duties for our patients.”
Among the organizations that have committed and contributed cash and in-kind donations include: 99 Speed Mart Sdn Bhd; Anga AVF Centre Sdn. Bhd.; Sunway Damansara Metro Lions Club, Leo Club of Sunway Metro, Leo Club of Metro Methodist College KL (O), Malaysia, Leo Club of IICS Metro (O) Malaysia, Leo Club of SMK Seksyen 4 Bandar Kinrara and Leo Club of SMK Bandar Utama Damansara 3; KPJ Sentosa KL Specialist Hospital, KPJ Selangor Specialist Hospital, KPJ Klang Specialist Hospital, KPJ Tawakkal Specialist Hospital and KPJ Tawakkal Health Centre; and Nurasakti Corporation Sdn Bhd. (Refer to List of Donors)
This inspiring story of NKF, their frontliners and generous donors who have come together to provide crucial aid in the hour of need is a show of solidarity − a meaningful action by Malaysians lending a hand to protect their fellow countrymen's health.
How you can help
The foundation’s 28 dialysis centres nationwide will continue to operate as usual throughout the MCO − first enforced on March 18 and now extended to April 28. Members of the public who are interested in contributing towards this cause to purchase PPE and other required medical equipment for NKF's frontline healthcare personnel and dialysis patients can channel their donations to the NKF Covid-19 Fund at 014011450041 (Maybank) or find out more through NKF’s website at https://nkf.org.my/support-us/nkf-covid-19-fund/ or call 016-230 1072.
