KOTA SAMARAHAN: A total of 250 participants, comprising students, staff and members of the public, hit the pavement on today (May 9) for the World Kidney Day Charity Fun Run, marking the inaugural state-level celebration in Sarawak.
The 5km run held at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) aimed to promote kidney health awareness and encourage early detection and prevention of kidney disease through community engagement activities.
Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, in a speech read by his deputy, Datuk Michael Tiang Ming Tee, reiterated the Sarawak government’s commitment to kidney care, headlined by a RM4-million allocation for the Kidney Patient Special Assistance (BPBP) programme this year.
Dr Sim reaffirmed that such funding remains vital as the state continues to record between 700 and 800 kidney disease cases annually, with over 4,800 patients currently undergoing dialysis.
“The Sarawak government continues to support federal initiatives by supplying essential machinery, including the distribution of over 30 new haemodialysis machines worth RM1.2 million,” he said.
Dr Sim added that additional machines are slated for delivery throughout 2026 to hospitals in Miri, Bintulu, Mukah and Sarikei to ensure uninterrupted care for rural communities.
He also highlighted the environmental sustainability aspect of this year’s theme, ‘Kidney Health for All: Caring for People, Protecting the Planet’, noting that while haemodialysis is life-saving, it leaves a significant ecological footprint due to intensive resource use.
“We must balance our efforts for early prevention with best practices to ensure environmental sustainability,” he added.
Meanwhile, National Kidney Foundation (NKF) Malaysia’s chief executive officer, Choo Kok Ming announced that the foundation is set to significantly increase its service capacity in the state to meet rising demand.
“In Sarikei, our new centre will expand from six to 18 dialysis seats this year. We also intend to increase the capacity of our Kota Samarahan centre from 10 to 15 chairs,” Choo said.
He added that NKF, which currently operates three centres in Sarawak, is committed to working with local stakeholders to “shoulder the burden” of kidney care alongside the public health service.
The event, held in collaboration with the UNIMAS Health Centre, included health screenings, community engagement activities, and an organ transplant exhibition.
Also present were UNIMAS Health Centre head, Dr Nurnazarina Mahrif and representatives from the Sarawak General Hospital and Sarawak Heart Centre.
