KUCHING: The Che Hia Khor Moral Uplifting Society (CHKMUS) Kidney Foundation raised RM500,000 through its charity sales at its premises in Iris Garden in Jalan Laksamana Cheng Ho, yesterday.
The money will be used to upgrade the foundation’s facilities that cost RM2 million and to acquire more dialysis machines to cater to the increasing number of kidney patients.
The sales event was declared open by Tan Kai, political secretary to the chief minister, who represented Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian.
Also present was newly-appointed Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng and Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii.
Foundation chairman Datuk Seri Tay Chin Kin said currently, two floors of the premises house more than 70 dialysis machines for needy patients.
“That is why we organised this charity fair. We want the third and fourth floor to be equipped with more dialysis machines and other facilities,” he said, adding that the floors would be opened to the public by next month.
He revealed that every year about 200 kidney patients received treatments at the foundation, and the numbers are increasing.
“We will need 21 more machines, each costing RM40,000 except for one which would cost RM100,000 to cater to patients with special needs,” he said, adding that some of the machines have already arrived.
About 70 stalls were put up during the charity food fair themed ‘Let’s Light Us Our Love’ yesterday. They were run by members of other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and religious bodies, bank staff members as well representatives of private and governmental bodies.
