• The Venerable Sek Meow Ee (Trustee and Abbott of Leong Hwa Chan Si Temple)

• Mr Richard Yong (Chairman & President of the NKF)
• Distinguished guests
• Ladies and gentlemen

I am honoured to be here this afternoon at the opening of this new dialysis center.

This is a notable and worthy milestone in battling kidney disease as it provides a life-line to kidney patients. This has been made possible by the generous donation from the Leong Hwa Chan Si Temple in partnership with the National Kidney Foundation.

I would like to congratulate Leong Hwa Chan Si Temple and NKF for their foresight and vision in addressing the problem faced by older kidney patients.

Our population is ageing. The proportion of those 60 years and above is estimated to increase from 11% today, to 27% by the year 2030.

This change in our age profile is already being clearly reflected at the NKF. Today, elderly patients make up a significant portion of the total number of patients on its programme. About 46% of its patients are 55 years and above, with 32% beyond the age of 60 years.

For many of the elderly suffering from kidney failure, organ transplantation is not an option because of their age or related medical conditions. As such, these patients have to undergo dialysis to stay alive. Faced with this reality, some may slip into depression; overcome with a sense of helplessness and loss of control.

However, with better care and health facilities, today’s kidney patients enjoy a longer life expectancy. Our challenge is to help them, the elderly in particular, remain active, productive and healthy for many more years to come.

I am thus heartened to learn that one of NKF’s key programmes is to ensure that its patients continue to live a fulfilled and joyful life. It does this by giving its patients hope and inspiration and a renewed zest for life through the various programmes it runs. NKF’s track record in this area has been quite remarkable.

For younger kidney patients, NKF offers job placement, career development assistance, and patient development guidance. I am told that NKF has one of the highest job rehabilitation rates in the world and 92% of NKF’s patients who can work are gainfully employed. This excludes retirees, housewives and students.

Elderly patients require a different set of programmes catered to their specific needs. Today, I am pleased to witness the launch of the NKF’s new Exercise Training and Rehabilitation Programme for the elderly. It promises to breathe vitality and longevity into each and every one of its older patients so that they can look forward to an independent and productive life ahead.

Instituting exercise as a way of life for elderly kidney patients, the new Leong Hwa Chan Si Temple – NKF dialysis centre will be the first NKF Dialysis Centre to customise a unique exercise programme for each individual patient so that he can remain fit, active and healthy.

Many believe that exercise is only for the young, but proven research and studies have shown that the beneficial effects of exercise among the elderly may slow down the aging process, prevent, reduce, or modify disease effects, reduce falls and disability, and decrease mortality. Furthermore, exercise plays an important role in promoting good health, functional independence and quality of life. For many of the NKF’s elderly patients who are childless or widowed, being able to stay independent is crucial.

With the strong support and shared vision of the Leong Hwa Chan Si Temple, its members and supporters, the NKF has been able to set up this landmark facility to cater to the many elderly kidney patients bringing renewed energy and exuberance to them.

This 18-station dialysis centre will cater to more than 300 kidney patients living or working in this western region. In addition it will also enable over 700 elderly kidney patients under the care of the NKF to benefit from this exercise training and rehabilitation programme.

I congratulate the Leong Hwa Chan Si Temple, its members and devotees who, under the able leadership of the Venerable Sek Meow Ee, have raised the sum of $ 1.8 million to realise their vision of helping the less fortunate and giving elderly patients a reason to live. I wish both the Temple and the NKF all the very best in their future endeavors.

It is now my pleasure and honour to declare the Leong Hwa Chan Si Temple – NKF Dialysis Centre open.