KLANG, April 15 – The Columbia Asia Group of Hospitals has opened its first dialysis centre at Columbia Asia Hospital Klang, Mutiara Bukit Raja, to fulfil the dialysis needs of end-stage renal failure patients.
Increasing Need For Dialysis
According to the Malaysian Dialysis and Transplant Registry, 8,431 new patients were on dialysis in early 2018.
However, less than a year later, the number of patients surged to a whopping 44,136 patients. What is even more shocking is that the registry estimates that by 2040, the number of patients needing dialysis would reach 106,000.
“From year to year, we can see the trend increasing. Despite the number of dialysis centres available in Klang, it is still not enough to accommodate the increasing number of patients needing dialysis,” said Columbia Asia Hospital Klang general manager Wong Wai Mun.
“With the opening of the new dialysis centre, we hope to fulfil the demands of patients in Klang and surrounding areas. Our mission statement is ‘A Passion For Making People Better’. As such, our objective is to provide the community with effective dialysis services, focusing on patients’ safety as well as quality of services,” she added.
“By adding another type of health service in this hospital, we hope to make our health care services not only more convenient and accessible, but also more comprehensive.”
Expertise, Technology And Comfort
Consultant internal medicine physician and nephrologist Dr T Kalaiselvam Thevandran heads the dialysis centre at Columbia Asia Hospital Klang, while day-to-day operations are run by an experienced charge nurse, along with a team of nurses who are trained in renal care.
Dr Kalaiselvam is a renowned nephrologist with vast experience in public and private practice. Most importantly, his empathy and compassion are what make his patients feel assured.
The dialysis machines at Columbia Asia Hospital Klang are readily installed with the Therapy Data Management System, an integrated system that enables the medical team to document and monitor patient information.
With just a glance, the team can view important data, including dialysis treatment and medication data, laboratory data, and other data related to pre-dialysis procedures and dialysis procedures.
The continuous tracking, trending and analysis of these important parameters are essential for the medical team to plan the right treatment for the patient.
Another factor that sets the centre apart is the support services that add more value to the dialysis sessions.
A dietician is on site to provide consultation for the patients, supervising their menus and food intakes. This is to ensure that patients are getting enough nutrition according to their health conditions.
Other departments include 24-hour emergency and laboratory services, which may not be available at other dialysis centres. Each cubicle with a dialysis machine also comes with a reclining chair, television set, and a side tray. Refreshments and parking are complimentary.
Prevention Is Number One
Columbia Asia Group CEO Dr Chan Boon Kheng said during the opening ceremony: “Columbia Asia has another mission, and that is to bring the message of prevention and kidney health home. Kidney disease can be prevented, and if detected early, can be controlled. The march towards end-stage renal failure and dialysis is not inevitable. Awareness, prevention, and early detection are the other strategies in managing kidney diseases.
“The opening of the dialysis centre today is a continuation of this strategy. We will continue to develop and introduce more clinical programmes at our facilities so that our patients can receive medical services closer to their homes. We aim to be the health provider of choice and be the first stop for health care for the families within our community,” he added.
