SPEECH BY MR JANIL PUTHUCHEARY, SENIOR MINISTER OF STATE FOR HEALTH AT OPENING CEREMONY OF KDF-SAN WANG WU TI DIALYSIS CENTRE, 20 JULY

Dr. Lim Cheok Peng, Chairman of Kidney Dialysis Foundation,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good afternoon.

It is my pleasure to be here to grace the opening of the Kidney Dialysis Foundation’s fourth dialysis centre – the San Wang Wu Ti-KDF Dialysis Centre at Admiralty Link.

San Wang Wu Ti-KDF Dialysis Centre @ Admiralty Link

2.       The Kidney Dialysis Foundation or KDF was founded more than 25 years ago, with a mission to look after underprivileged patients with end-stage kidney disease and provide them with financial assistance for their dialysis treatment. The majority of KDF’s patients live on less than $1,200 monthly. However, the monthly cost of dialysis treatments and medication is more than $2,000. As such, it is heartening to know that with the assistance of KDF subsidies and government grants, 80% of KDF patients receive fully subsidised treatments, with no out-of-pocket payment.

3.       With the opening of the San Wang Wu Ti-KDF Dialysis Centre at Admiralty Link today, more patients will stand to benefit. This new dialysis centre has 19 haemodialysis stations which will serve more needy patients.

Strengthening Upstream Prevention of Kidney Failure

4.       End stage renal disease is a growing nationwide concern. Today, we have about six new individuals diagnosed with kidney failure daily, up from 4 in 2011. This trend is set to increase as Singapore’s population ages, coupled with an increase in the prevalence of chronic diseases such as diabetes. To address this, we need to adopt a multipronged approach to tackle this worrying trend, ranging from prevention and educational efforts, treatment, and to the management of the disease.

5.       For those with chronic kidney disease, it is important to take steps to prevent the progression to kidney failure. To this end, since 2017, the Ministry of Health (MOH) has progressively implemented the Holistic Approach in Lowering and Tracking Chronic Kidney Disease (HALT-CKD) programme across all public healthcare institutions. The HALT-CKD programme seeks to retard the progression of CKD by optimising kidney protective medication for suitable patients and ensuring that patients with early stage CKD are monitored closely to better manage CKD risk factors like diabetes, hypertension, and lifestyle factors like smoking and weight management.

Strengthening Preventive Care of Chronic Conditions

6.       Diabetes is a leading cause of chronic kidney disease. In 2021, it was estimated that 1 in 3 patients who was newly diagnosed with kidney failure, also had diabetes. It is therefore important for us to prevent chronic kidney disease and kidney failure through better management of diabetes or upstream efforts that reduce the risk of developing diabetes. MOH has been working with partners, such as the Health Promotion Board and community partners, to create an environment that supports Singaporeans in leading healthier lives - through programmes that encourage healthy eating, increased physical activity and going for regular, recommended health screening and follow-up.

7.       In this vein, the Government has also unveiled the Healthier SG strategy earlier this year, and one of its key focus is to strengthen our primary care sector and mobilise our network of family physicians to play a greater role in preventive care and the management of chronic conditions. Many of our family physicians have cultivated close relationships with their patients and are in the best position to advise and encourage them to take necessary steps to improve their health. 

8.       But family physicians alone will not be enough. Community healthcare providers like KDF will play an important role too. Over the years, you have built up close relationships with your patients and their families. Crucially, you are also an established, trusted partner of many community organisations. In this regard, I am glad to know that KDF has also been active in engaging the community to advocate for better kidney health, through public health talks and sporting events.

Closing

9.       I would like to thank everyone for their efforts to set up this new dialysis centre. This is indeed a significant milestone in KDF’s commendable journey to serving underprivileged patients requiring dialysis treatment in Singapore. Thank you.