Albukhary Dialysis Centre offers free treatment for the poor

ALOR STAR: The RM2.2mil Albukhary Dialysis Centre which offers free treatment to the poor irrespective of race or religion is arguably the biggest run by a non-government organisation.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak praised it as a fine example of corporate social responsibility.
“I hope this centre will be a landmark that we can be proud of. It reflects noble efforts to ease the public's burden,” he said when opening the dialysis centre at Albukhary Medical Centre here yesterday.
The centre will have 36 dialysis units, a treatment room and four dialysis bays. It is expected to be opened to the public soon.
He lauded Albukhary Foundation chairman Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Albukhary for setting up the free facility covering 1,000sq m next to the Albukhary Mosque.
“Such contribution is in line with Islamic principles to care for those who are less fortunate,” he said, adding that the centre was fully funded by the foundation.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek, who was also present, said out of 14,000 kidney patients in the country now, 2,500 were undergoing dialysis treatment.
The number of kidney patients was expected to increase to 20,000 by 2010, he said.
“Although all government hospitals and district clinics provide dialysis services, it is not enough,” he said, adding that 40% of patients sought dialysis treatment at government hospitals while 30% depended on facilities offered by non-profit organisations.
He said the government provided RM20mil to assist NGOs run dialysis centres last year and that the cabinet had recently approved an RM44mil allocation.
At a breaking-fast ceremony at the Albukhary Mosque's compound later, Najib lauded Syed Mokhtar for the RM600mil Albukhary complex that comprised a majestic mosque, hostel for orphans, a senior citizens’ academy, the Albukhary Medical Centre, dormitories, medium standard hotel suites, and a shopping complex.

tunku : may Allah bless Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar. Hope that more and more rich tycoons like him will follow his footstep.he is known as mr charity and very down to earth person.if the billionaires in malaysia could set up a free dialysis centre in all the states, just imagine how good life would be for the kidney patients especially the poors.