Kuala Lumpur: More than 19,000 contributors to the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) have benefited from an allocation exceeding RM400 million for dialysis treatment at Perkeso dialysis centres throughout last year. Human Resources Minister Steven Sim stated that this allocation represents the agency’s annual expenditure for operating its dialysis centres, with the cost of managing these centres to treat diabetes and kidney patients increasing each year.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the average increase in patients is approximately 15 to 16 percent annually, with an additional 2,550 insured individuals requiring dialysis treatment. Sim described this as a concerning trend, but noted that awareness campaigns, such as the ‘Say No to Sugar’ campaign launched by Perkeso, are in place to address the issue.
Sim shared these insights with reporters after officiating the Perkeso Dialysis Centre Kuala Lumpur branch at Wisma Perkesohere, an event also attended by Perkeso chairman Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal. He elaborated that the fifth dialysis centre branch was opened last November, following similar facilities established in Kluang and Batu Pahat in Johor, as well as Shah Alam and Klang in Selangor.
The Kuala Lumpur branch is equipped with six dialysis machines, capable of serving 18 patients in three sessions daily to help Perkeso contributors receive quality treatment. Sim mentioned the possibility of adding more machines if necessary.
Subahan, in his speech, emphasized Perkeso’s commitment to assisting contributors suffering from kidney disease through the establishment of its own dialysis centres. These centres offer quality treatment comparable to private centres at an affordable cost. Despite the projected cost exceeding RM0.5 billion by 2030, Subahan asserted that this strategic initiative is significant in easing the financial burden of contributors.
In addition to reducing patients’ out-of-pocket expenses, Perkeso Dialysis Centres provide transportation services to ensure patients can continue their treatment without hindrance, aligning with their commitment to continuous improvement in meeting customer satisfaction.
In another development, Subahan urged workers in both the public and private sectors to maintain a healthy diet and adopt a healthy lifestyle. The Perkeso Health Screening Programme analysis up to December 2024 revealed that 23.15 percent of workers are obese. Additionally, 19.39 percent of workers in the country suffer from diabetes, 19.66 percent from hypertension, 59.75 percent from cholesterol issues, and 0.38 percent are in the final stage of kidney disease.