Kota Kinabalu: The State Government will contribute RM100,000 to the Sabah Kidney Foundation in support of its work in caring for kidney patients in the State.
“The money will come in two payments, RM50,000 now and another RM50,000 in July or August,” said Deputy Chief Minister II cum State Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun at the Foundation’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration at Hilton Hotel, here, Thursday.
Masidi, who is also the Foundation’s Honorary Advisor, praised its Chairman Datuk Sri Rashid Liaw for digging into his own pocket to keep the Foundation running.
“I know Datuk Rashid has spent a lot of his own money to finance this activity,” Masidi said, adding that the Government’s contribution was a recognition of the Foundation’s good work in caring for kidney patients.
Masidi also reminded the Foundation to uphold integrity, accountability and transparency in managing the funds to ensure every ringgit truly reaches those in need.
The support builds on last year’s government donation of 100 haemodialysis machines to the Foundation.
Masidi said the need for such support is real and urgent, noting that Sabah currently has about 460 haemodialysis machines in public hospitals serving around 2,400 patients, meaning one machine is shared by roughly five patients.
He said the numbers reflect not only the strain on the State’s healthcare services, but also the burden faced by patients, particularly those who must travel long distances just to receive treatment.
Additionally, he said non-governmental organisations (NGOs) like the Foundation play an important role alongside the Government in not just treating the sick, but also encouraging the public to stay healthy in the first place.
“We need NGOs to help the Government, not only to treat those who are sick but also to spread good health practices so that people do not need dialysis,” he said.
He called on the Foundation to be more proactive and strategic in expanding haemodialysis services to areas in Sabah that are still without such facilities.
He also urged people not to avoid the doctor out of fear, admitting he had made that mistake himself.
“Many people delay going to the hospital because they are not willing to accept that they are sick. I did the same with my back… it could have been treated better if I had gone earlier,” he said.
“Most diseases, even cancer, can be treated if caught early. We must accept that we are sick and that we need treatment…do not wait until it is too late,” he added.
“When you are in a hospital ward and you step outside your room, everyone around you is sick. It affects you mentally. When I went home, I saw my wife, my children, my family and I felt better,” he said, sharing his experience during his road to recovery two years ago.
“Your health is your wealth. We cannot solve problems by worrying, we solve them by tackling them head on,” he said, pointing out that a positive mindset is just as important as diet and exercise.
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During the ceremony, financial aid was handed out to 10 dialysis patients. The event also honoured pioneer members of the Foundation, among them Daily Express and Overseas Chinese Daily News Senior Photojournalist Jimmy Goh, who was recognised for 25 years of dedicated service to the organisation.
Present were Youth, Sports and Creative Economy Minister Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan, Tanjung Keramat Assemblyman Shah Alfie Yahya and Nominated Assemblywoman Grace Lee, among others.
