nkf.org.my - National Kidney Foundation of Malaysia

In May 2005, a special fund of RM20,000 was established to assist patients with RM50 while waiting for the approval of the subsidy of RM50 from the Ministry of Health (MOH). Patients who are poor and deserving are considered for this assistance for three months or until the approval from MOH, whichever is earlier.

In March 2006 and August 2006, a further sum of RM30,000 and RM50,000 respectively were approved by the Board of Managers, to meet the needs of these patients without which they would not be able to continue with their dialysis treatment as their families could ill afford to pay RM110 per dialysis for their treatment. 65 patients benefited from this fund compared to 21 patients the previous year and the amount used to help these patients for year 2006 was RM78,400. From January 2007 up till 2007 25 dialysis patients have benefited from this fund.

PATIENT ADOPTION SCHEME

The Patient Adoption Scheme (PAS) was officially launched on 24 July 2003 in NKF. The uniqueness of this programme is that members of the corporate world and individuals are encouraged to participate in this scheme by assisting poor deserving patients in lifting their financial burden by sponsoring half their dialysis fees. Although the amount charged by NKF is affordable which is RM60 per dialysis treatment compared to the private sector which is charging RM150 - RM250 per dialysis treatment, but to a poor patient who has a family and unable to work due to the illness, it becomes a very big burden to him or her.

Under this scheme, the donors will adopt 2 patients and pay half their dialysis fees for 1 year. This amount comes to RM9,360 per year for 2 patients or any amount affordable by the sponsor.

Donors can pay in 1 lump sum for 1 year or make 2 half yearly payments for the dialysis treatment of the patients. Patients are screened before being selected so that only those poor deserving patients are put in this scheme. This includes ascertaining their income, the number of dependants, their age, educational level and any other financial resources that they may receive before being selected. Continual monitoring of the proper usage of the fund is carried out so that it reaches the target group meant for. The welfare officers will keep record of the funds utilized. The balance of the fund of patients who passed away after being put in this scheme will be given to another poor deserving patient who have been approved under this scheme.