SARIKEI – A RM3.5 million dialysis centre is set to be constructed in Tulai, Meradong, to improve access to kidney treatment for residents in the area and surrounding communities.
The proposed facility will be equipped with 15 haemodialysis machines and is expected to accommodate up to 90 treatment sessions daily. The project is scheduled for completion within approximately 12 months, providing additional capacity for patients who require regular dialysis.
The development is expected to reduce the need for kidney patients to travel to other areas to receive treatment. It could also ease the logistical and financial pressures faced by families who regularly accompany patients to medical appointments.
The construction is being undertaken under the Special Rural Transformation Project (RTP), which aims to strengthen infrastructure and improve access to essential services in rural communities.
The latest project details were presented during a briefing for tenderers held at the Sarikei Division Integrated Administrative Centre (IAC) Meeting Room on Monday. The session provided information on the proposed construction project and marked a key stage in the implementation process.
Once completed, the centre is expected to strengthen the availability of haemodialysis services in Meradong, particularly for patients who depend on scheduled treatment to manage chronic kidney conditions.
Haemodialysis is a medical procedure that uses a machine to remove waste products, excess fluids and other substances from the blood when the kidneys can no longer perform these functions adequately. Patients with advanced kidney failure generally require treatment several times a week, making access to reliable facilities an important consideration in their ongoing care.
For patients living outside major urban centres, travelling long distances for repeated treatment can create additional challenges. Transport arrangements, travel expenses and the time required for each visit can affect both patients and the family members responsible for supporting their care.
The planned facility in Tulai is therefore expected to provide a more accessible treatment option for eligible patients in Meradong and nearby areas. Having services closer to residential communities may also help families manage regular treatment schedules with fewer travel-related difficulties.
The proposed capacity of 90 treatment slots per day will provide a substantial local service provision, although the actual number of patients accommodated will depend on operating schedules, staffing arrangements, treatment requirements and the availability of equipment.
Beyond the installation of dialysis machines, the centre’s operational readiness will also depend on essential supporting facilities and healthcare personnel. Regular equipment maintenance, adequate supplies, infection prevention measures and appropriate clinical supervision are among the standard requirements for delivering safe haemodialysis services.
The recruitment and deployment of qualified healthcare workers will also be important in ensuring that the facility can operate effectively once construction is completed. Consistent service delivery will be necessary to meet the needs of patients who depend on dialysis as part of their long-term treatment.
The project represents an additional investment in healthcare infrastructure for the Meradong area, with the potential to improve access to specialised treatment outside larger healthcare centres.
While construction is expected to take about a year, residents and prospective patients will await further details on the project’s progress, commissioning arrangements and the eventual commencement of treatment services.
The completion of the Tulai Dialysis Centre is expected to strengthen local healthcare provision and reduce the burden of travelling for patients and their families, bringing essential kidney treatment closer to the communities that need it. — Sarawak Daily
