By Anis Nabilla Md Wazilah
PEKAN, Jan 28 (Bernama) – Throughout five years of leading the nation, His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah has not only left behind many cherished memories for the people, but also a deeply meaningful “gift” for kidney patients before returning to his throne in Pahang.
The Al-Sultan Abdullah Foundation (YASA) Hemodialysis Centre, established in 2019, offers free treatment services to kidney patients, particularly those in the M40 and B40 income groups. This clearly reflects His Majesty’s concern for the health of the people.
Reflecting on the establishment of the hemodialysis centre, YASA General Manager Mohd Fakhrul Islam Juhali said that after ascending the throne as Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah was briefed by the Ministry of Health regarding national healthcare services, including the number of kidney patients.
“Al-Sultan Abdullah was informed that around 50,000 patients required dialysis treatment, with an estimated increase of 8,000 new patients each year. His Majesty went to the ground and found that many people had to pay for their own treatment.”
“As a result, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the Raja Permaisuri Agong (Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah), and their children agreed to help, leading to the opening of the first YASA Hemodialysis Centre in Cheras in 2019, and the latest in Jerantut last year,” he told Bernama recently.
The YASA Hemodialysis Centre in Jerantut, Pahang is the fifth to be established, following centres in Taman Melati, Kuala Lumpur, opened on July 28, 2022; Pekan, Pahang, on Dec 11, 2021; and in Setiawangsa and Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, which began operations on Aug 12, 2020, and Aug 7, 2019, respectively.
According to Mohd Fakhrul Islam, each YASA Hemodialysis Centre is equipped with up to 12 dialysis machines, along with comfortable facilities and treatment spaces for patients, on par with other dialysis centres in the country.
“Al-Sultan Abdullah decreed that the YASA Hemodialysis Centres must offer comfortable services to encourage patients to seek treatment. The centres even offer pickup and drop-off services to and from patients’ homes to ease their burden,” he said.
He added that the foundation also owns an ambulance equipped with a defibrillator and ventilator for trauma and emergency care.
Currently, there are around 250 patients from various ethnic backgrounds, including the Orang Asli, receiving treatment at the five YASA Hemodialysis Centres.
Mohd Fakhrul Islam also highlighted Al-Sultan Abdullah’s deep concern for public health, as shown by His Majesty’s decree for more health-related programmes, especially in Pahang.
“In line with this, we have launched the People’s Health Tour Programme in collaboration with private and government agencies, travelling to various districts to provide free health check-ups to ensure people’s health — as per His Majesty’s decree, prevention is better than cure,” he said.
Meanwhile, former factory worker Bakri Majid, 67, expressed his gratitude to His Majesty for providing a comfortable hemodialysis centre where kidney patients like himself can receive free treatment for the past two years.
“I currently have no income, and since receiving treatment at the YASA Hemodialysis Centre in Pekan, I haven’t had to pay anything. Transport services are also provided. I truly appreciate these facilities,” said the Kampung Pulau Jawa resident.
Another patient, Nurjanah Yaacob, 57, also expressed her relief at being able to receive treatment at the centre, as she could not afford private facilities due to the high costs.
“Treatment isn’t cheap, as I have to go for dialysis three times a week. Imagine having to pay thousands of ringgit each month. I am very grateful to YASA for helping patients like us,” said the mother of two.
– BERNAMA