Malaysia has one of the highest number of kidney patients

The Star: ABOUT 12,000 Malaysians are currently on dialysis and the number is expected to increase to 20,000 by 2008.
Health Minister Datuk Chua Soi Lek disclosed the alarming figures at a charity dinner organised by Per-tubuhan Haemodialysis Pasar Besar Meru recently.
In his speech, read out by Selangor exco member Datuk Ch'ng Toh Eng, Chua said about 2,500 people were diagnosed with kidney problems yearly.
“In 2003, 406 out of every 100,000 people were found to be suffering from kidney problems,’’ he said. “This is shocking as it makes Malaysia one of the countries with a large number of kidney patients.’’
Chua urged Malaysians to lead a healthy lifestyle and to watch their diet to prevent being afflicted by the disease.
He added that the 316 dialysis centres in the country played a vital role in helping kidney patients carry on with their lives.
“If kidney patients are able to get proper care and treatment, they can enjoy life for at least 30 years or more,’’ said Chua.
“And, it is because of this that government hospitals have also been equipped with dialysis machines recently,’’ he said.
According to Chua, 90% of kidney patients between 21 and 35 years of age and 64% of those aged between 46 and 55 were able to continue working as well as lead a regular lifestyle with proper medical care.
The Pertubuhan Haemodialysis Pasar Besar Meru can now have three more new machines from the RM220,000 raked in during the dinner. Local businessman Chico Tan Hock Chai was the highest individual donor with his contribution of RM50,000.
The haemodialysis centre’s chairman, Datuk Song Kee Chai, said at least 4,000 out of the 12,000 patients on dialysis depended heavily on the 93 non-profit centres in the country.