NKF is collaborating with Tzu Chi to help more underprivileged dialysis patients
The first Tzu Chi dialysis centre in Singapore will open in the fourth quarter of 2023. Beginning in April, the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) will provide six weeks of professional training to the first group of nurses and staff who will be working at the dialysis centre. This innovative collaborative model is expected to improve renal care for more patients and make a greater impact in the community.
Journalist, Chong Yu Jia: This is where Tzu Chi’s first dialysis centre will be at Buangkok in northeast Singapore. The construction of the centre is in progress, and it is expected to start operating by the fourth quarter of this year. Tzu Chi will be the fifth organisation to set up a non-profit dialysis centre in Singapore.
CEO of Tzu-Chi Foundation (Singapore), Low Swee Seh, and CEO of The National Kidney Foundation (NKF), Tim Oei, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in the witness of both parties. Beginning in April, NKF will provide six weeks of professional training to the first batch of nurses and staff of the Tzu Chi dialysis centre.
CEO of Tzu-Chi Foundation (Singapore), Low Swee Seh: We need experienced people to help us. NKF is the largest non-profit organisation for dialysis treatment in Singapore, (I believe they will) give us good support. Through this, we are able to work with each other to expand the power of kindness and to help people in need.
The training will be designed and planned by NKF, covering the scope of hardware facilities, daily operations and administration. This collaboration model is the first of its kind.
CEO of The National Kidney Foundation, Tim Oei: Why we are prepared to help Tzu Chi because we feel there is a close DNA between the two organisations. Both care for the patients. Both want the patients to do better. So this partnership is not about NKF helping Tzu Chi, it is about a partnership of how we work together and how we can help each other to help the patients, and more importantly, their whole family.
The objective of starting a dialysis centre is to meet the demand for a non-profit dialysis centre in the area. By working together, the two charitable organisations hope to enhance renal care to benefit more patients and make a greater impact in the community.
