We're in the papers!

Well, it wasn't very obvious but our parents could tell that it's their children's school by looking at the uniform. The news wasn't about us. Our children were 'borrowed' to represent Persatuan Tadika Malaysia (PTM).


Free injections for poor kidney patients

SERDANG: Poor kidney patients receiving haemodialysis treatment at NGO centres can look forward to a better quality of life.

The Government will spend RM12.6mil a year to provide these 2,700 patients with free erythropoeitin (e-poeitin) injections beginning April 1.

“Haemodialysis patients generally have anaemia problems and need the injection to increase their haemoglobin level to help them enjoy a better quality of life,” said Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

“Currently, patients at the NGO centres have to pay between RM30 and RM60 per injection or be referred to a government hospital.”

Speaking after launching the World Kidney Day celebration at Serdang Hospital here yesterday, he said the free injection would be for all patients at NGO centres currently receiving the RM50 government subsidy per treatment.
Quality of life: Liow at the launch of the World Kidney Day celebration at Serdang Hospital yesterday.

Haemodialysis patients at government dialysis centres are given up to three e-poeitin injections a week.

Disturbed by the increasing number of patients every year, Liow called on Malaysians to practise a healthy lifestyle as well as go for regular check-ups.

“Every year, about 3,500 new patients require dialysis treatment,” he said. “Currently about 18,000 people are undergoing dialysis treatment.


“High blood pressure, diabetes and obesity can contribute to kidney disease. All three chronic problems are on the rise due to our unhealthy lifestyle and food habits.

“In 2007, 57% of new dialysis patients had diabetes while 7% had high blood pressure.”

Eight more dialysis centres will be set up at hospitals in Pahang, Terengganu, Malacca, Negri Sembilan and Sabah to meet the increasing demand, Liow said.