Refurbishing older dialysis centres to
meet growing demand
NKF’s community-based dialysis centres that are 20 years or older will be refurbished by 2030. Between eight
and 10 centres will be renovated in phases, with better-designed spaces and latest technology to improve the
patient experience. The upgrades will also help care teams be prepared for future pandemics and meet the
increasing demand for dialysis.
Our oldest and the first community-based dialysis centre in
Singapore located at Toa Payoh Lorong 8, which is 36 years old, recently underwent a major refurbishment with
a $2.2 million donation from our long-standing community partner, Toa Payoh Seu Teck Sean Tong.
“Health is a personal responsibility. It‘s important for us to raise public awareness and strengthen
upstream preventive measures to reduce risk factors, especially diabetes, hypertension and high blood
pressure, which are leading causes of kidney failure.”
Mr Saktiandi Supaat, an MP for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, who encouraged Singaporeans to care for their
kidneys
Our newly refurbished dialysis centre in Toa Payoh was offically opened by Mr Saktiandi Supaat, MP for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC (third from left) and Mr Yeo Siow Guan, chairman of Toa Payoh Seu Teck Sean Tong (third from right), on 12 March 2023.
One significant change was the centre doubling its capacity from 14 to 28 dialysis stations and enabling it
to serve 168 patients each week, up from 84 previously. The new air-conditioning system removes airborne
pollutants and allergens, creating a healthier environment for patients with respiratory issues and
allergies. The centre also installed a facial recognition system that provides patients a contactless way to
enter and prevents entry of unauthorised personnel. The device also has a wide-angle lens that can detect
those in a wheelchair or using a personal mobility aid.
In 1995, the temple donated $1.5 million
to NKF to set up a dialysis centre in Yishun, and contributes regularly to patient care, organises social
outings and distributes household items to them.
(From left) NKF senior director of corporate services Cha Miang Yeow and NKF CEO Tim Oei, with TCF Loh Swee
Seh,
and TCF charity development department head Khoo Jyh Hao, at the memorandum of understanding
ceremony on 29 March 2023.
Photo: Tzu-Chi Foundation (Singapore)
A strategic collaboration with Tzu-Chi for better renal care
NKF collaborated with Tzu-Chi Foundation (TCF) to provide training to its first batch of nurses and staff and
equip them with the necessary knowledge and skill sets to operate its flagship community-based dialysis centre
at Buangkok. This strategic partnership between the two charitable foundations is a vital move in ensuring
that no kidney failure patient in Singapore is deprived of dialysis, in the light of the number of kidney
failure cases rising at an alarming pace in Singapore.
NKF undertook the design and curation of a
training programme that consists of knowledge sharing, on-site training and consultation in the areas of
infrastructure, operations and administration. Clinical staff who benefitted from the training included
qualified and experienced nurses registered with
the Singapore Nursing Board, and non-clinical staff
such as social workers, physiotherapists and support staff.
The wide-ranging scope of training –
both on-the-job and classroom sessions – included understanding and learning of basic equipment and manpower
requirements; space and dialysis slots planning, including considerations for setting up designated dialysis
stations for hepatitis B patients; licensing inspection preparation and processes; and admission, placement
and orientation processes for new patients, among others.
The training programme was carried out
over six weeks from last April. In the spirit of community partnership, NKF waived the training costs. This
purposeful partnership augurs well for the future, where charities with similar humanitarian ideals work hand
in hand for the common good of society.
“What better way to reciprocate Tzu-Chi’s strong conviction to save more kidney failure
patients’
lives than to work closely with them and share our knowhow and expertise in dialysis operations and care
through this collaboration.”
Mr Tim Oei, CEO of NKF
“Through this latest collaboration, it will help strengthen our capabilities in running
the
dialysis centre and hopefully, we can play our part in supporting the overall
renal landscape.”
Mr Low Swee Seh, CEO of TCF
