KUALA LUMPUR, April 7 — The Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia (APHM) will provide 511 kidney dialysis sessions at RM200 per slot to patients from public hospitals amid the Covid-19 outbreak.
“Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia has secured 511 slots across peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak in all our member private hospitals for non-Covid-19 patients undergoing dialysis in Ministry of Health,” APHM president Dr Kuljit Singh said in a statement.
“This has been discussed and informed to the Ministry of Health and this is in addition to our on-going efforts to contribute to the nation and government during this Covid-19 pandemic.
“Patients requiring dialysis would be referred by the respective Ministry of Health hospital to the selected private hospitals with the vacant slots. However, all referred patients will be screened for Hepatitis B, C and HIV by the public hospitals before the referral with the relevant medical history.”
To sustain the cost, Dr Kuljit said that the dialysis rate will be based at RM200 per session as offered by the Public Service Department for sponsored patients under their coverage.
“The association is looking forward to assist the Ministry of Health as this would be one example of public-private partnership in terms of buying services from the private hospital. We are happy to discuss other services that can be utilised particularly during this pandemic,” he concluded.
Dr Kuljit clarified that the 511 kidney dialysis slots are available this month. Each patient needs to do dialysis two to three times a week.
Update at 3:15pm:
Correction: CodeBlue erroneously reported that APHM was providing 511 patients kidney dialysis sessions; 511 refers to the number of slots provided. Dr Kuljit clarified that the 511 kidney dialysis slots are available this month; each patient needs to do dialysis two to three times a week, so they can use these slots in private facilities. The headline and the lede have been corrected.
