Information on how to care for one's kidney and estimated cost of treatment in Malaysia.

1. What you need to know about……………. Kidney Failure / Renal Failure

2. Kidney disease is one of the costliest illnesses in the U.S. today. Each year, more than 50,000 Americans die because of Kidney Disease. More than 260,000 Americans suffer from chronic renal failure and need dialysis or kidney transplantation to stay alive. More than 35,000 patients are waiting for kidney transplants, but only about 11,000 will receive transplants because of a shortage of suitable organ donors. Every year 2200 new cases of Malaysians are diagnosed with end stage renal failure. There are over 1800 people waiting for a kidney transplant in Malaysia, the numbers are increasing each year. …… This number is frightening…… The Facts About Kidney Disease

3. Kidneys : What are they? Your kidneys are two bean-shaped organs near the middle of your back. Their main function is to eliminate excess fluid and waste material from your blood.

5. Kidney diseases are diseases of the kidney substance that alter the structure and function of the kidney. There are many diseases of the kidneys such as glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis & polycystic kidney.The treatment and potential for recovery depends on the type of disease. Kidney diseases can lead to kidney failure. Normal Kidneys Polycystic kidneys Healthy kidneys eliminate waste from the blood & maintain the body’s normal chemical balance. Fluid filled sacs, called cysts, characterize autosomal Dominant polycystic kidney disease. What are kidney diseases?

12. Do you know how much $$$ you need to spend if you have kidney failure? Hemodialysis – RM 150 – RM 250 each time. Normally required 3 times /weeks. costing the patient between RM 1950 – RM 3250 per month.(not including consultation fee and medication). Peritoneal dialysis – RM 2300 – RM 2400/months. Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis ( CAPD ) – RM 2000/month Kidney Transplant – RM 10,000 in GHKL where kidney donated by own relatives. - RM 100,000 in oversea, example China, Singapore & India.

13. Estimated expenses incurred in kidney dialysis and transplant patients having out-patient treatment in private hospital Total expenses per year = RM 30,225 which averages to RM 2500/month (Excluding admissions to hospitals for other complications) Average cost after kidney transplant = RM3000/mth for the first 3 months for kidney monitoring and medicines to prevent kidney rejection. Cost may be reduced when transplanted kidney is stabilized. If complications arise or serum creatinine is high, renal biopsy may be done. Average cost = RM1000 including a stay in hospital. Subsequently? RM 1,825 RM 5 Daily Medication RM 960 RM 240 Every 3 mths Blood transfusion if the HB is low RM 500 RM 250 Every 6 mths Cardiac Assessment RM 1,200 RM 300 Every 3 mths Kidney function test RM 25,740 RM 165 3 X/week Dialysis Yearly expenses Cost Frequency Procedure

14. Do you need help ?? Tel No : 04 – 2297211 ( Penang ) 04 – 3231013 ( B’worth ) 04 – 9173604 ( Jitra, Kedah ) Buddhist Tzu- Chi Dialysis Center Tel No : 04 - 6571888 Hospital Lam Wah Ee Tel No : 04 - 2261133 Penang Adventist Hospital Tel No : 03 – 26981333 04 - 2292433 National Transplant Resource Center Tel No : 03 - 79549048 National Kidney Foundation of Malaysia