New dialysis centre to be co-located in community club

In a first, a dialysis centre will be co-located in a community club, when the Toa Payoh West-Balestier CC is upgraded by 2020. This first collaboration of its kind was sealed yesterday when the People’s Association, Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery and the National Kidney Foundation signed a memorandum of understanding.

The centre, named “Seck Hong Choon — NKF Dialysis Centre”, will have at least 20 dialysis machines, which can cater for up to 120 patients a day. The monastery is donating S$1.4 million to the NKF to set up the centre, and this will be matched by a government grant to cover the costs of renovation and equipment.

NKF CEO Edmund Kwok told reporters the net increase in its kidney patients has tripled this year to 300, from 100 in 2012. “It’ll grow because diabetes is our leading cause,” he said. “There’s this war we need to fight, otherwise people don’t think about it.”

Minister of State (Health) Chee Hong Tat, who was at the MOU signing, said the timing was “just right” for the co-location of the centre. The CC will be closed for upgrading at the end of next year and will be reopened by 2020.

“We’ll be able to create some space and design it properly, (and) suit the purpose of (having) a dialysis centre,” said Mr Chee.

Asked about the donation, Venerable Kwang Sheng, abbot of the monastery, said it has a “history of philanthropy and community support, dating back to its founding in 1921”. “The donation would not have been possible without the combined efforts of generous donors and the strong support of devotees,” he said. AMANDA LEE