SUBSIDISED TREATMENT FOR END-STAGE RENAL PATIENTS

SUBSIDISED TREATMENT FOR END-STAGE RENAL PATIENTS

37.

Dr Ong Seh Hong asked the Minister for Health what is the turnaround time for an end-stage renal patient to receive subsidised treatment from the point of applying for the treatment.

Mr Khaw Boon Wan: A patient with end-stage renal failure will require renal dialysis until he receives a kidney transplant. Some patients will need dialysis in a hospital if their conditions are complicated by other illnesses. We refer to these patients as requiring high-dependency dialysis. But most patients are otherwise medically-stable, and they can be dialysed in the community on an outpatient or even home setting.

Subsidised high-dependency dialysis is available in public hospitals. Renal dialysis would start as soon as his medical condition requires it, for example after discharge from an acute stay.

For the other patients, they can get dialysis from a number of dialysis centres operated by both charities and the private sector. If they need financial assistance, they could apply to the dialysis centres run by charities. The largest operator is the National Kidney Foundation, followed by the Kidney Dialysis Foundation and the People's Dialysis Centre. The subsidy to patients comes from both the Government and the charities.

Some means-testing is done by the charities. The processing of such applications will generally take about two weeks. Where the needs are urgent, the charities could fast-track the process so that subsidised treatment can start sooner. Interim arrangements are available to ensure continuity of care for these patients.

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