Better access to care with dialysis centres in Felda regions

KUALA NERANG: Settlers in Felda regions believe that the establishment of haemodialysis centres will greatly enhance access to medical treatment for residents. Currently, kidney patients have to travel to town clinics or hospitals for treatment. However, a haemodialysis facility will provide convenient medical care options for kidney patients within Felda settlements. This will eliminate the need for patients to stay at their children’s homes in town and allow them to seek treatment more easily. Some patients even have to rent a house near clinics or private haemodialysis centres. Felda Lubuk Merbau head, Mat Awang Saad, expressed his hopes that the centre will reduce costs and improve accessibility for settlers requiring dialysis treatment, as reported by Bernama.

For 81-year-old Osman Awang, the initiative to establish haemodialysis centres in Felda regions demonstrates the government’s genuine concern for the settlers’ health and well-being. Additionally, Awang and other settlers in the region hope for the installation of 40 more street lights, particularly from Kampung Berjaya and Kampung Kura to their village. They also request improvements to five road junctions, which will enhance residents’ safety.

Anuar Rahim, a 58-year-old settler, has urged the government to address drainage issues in the Felda settlements. Rahim points out that these problems have not been resolved, and areas within Felda settlements are at risk of flooding during excessive rainfall.

On July 7, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim unveiled multiple initiatives and incentives to enhance the quality of life and welfare of Felda settlers. The announcements include the allocation of RM21.21 million for the Rahmah Health Contribution (SKR) program, the construction of a haemodialysis centre with an allocation of RM21 million, an annual expense of RM7.7 million to operate street lights, and a diesel subsidy of RM36 million per year for three Felda settlements in Sabah. Additionally, the Prime Minister announced the implementation of the Digital Madani programme to empower the gig economy, resolutions to concerns surrounding the Felda New Generation Housing scheme, and efforts to help rubber smallholders transition to other commodity crops such as oil palm and coconut.