New Medical Equipment Helps Save Lives in Malaysia
 

Two new pieces of medical equipment donated by LDS Charities have helped doctors in Malaysia diagnose and provide care for their patients in Malaysia. Since 1997 residents of both East and West Malaysia have had their lives extended due in part to the charitable aid rendered by LDS Charities, the humanitarian arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Sungai Buloh Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, received a donation of a USCOM monitor to aide in the treatment of Dengue Fever. LDS Charities partnered with Michael Mains from the US in supplying the machine. On February 12, 2015, Dr. Balachandran a/l Satiamurti, Director of Health Selangor, accepted the donation on behalf of the Minister of Health, Datuk Seri Dr. Subramaniam. He said, "this gift will be of specific help to the Specialists working in the Intensive Care Unit so they can better care for their patients. This monitor opens avenues of treatment which were not available before". In 2013 there were 30 recorded deaths from Dengue Fever.  The current situation of Dengue Infection in Malaysia has reached an alarming 300% increase with government and private hospitals overwhelmed with admissions. By the end of January 2015 there were reported 18 deaths from Dengue Fever and that number is increasing.

Even with the best resources available in the Intensive Care Units, there are still deaths of mothers, the very young, and healthy adults succumbing to the disease due to virus-carrying mosquitoes. A bite from a mosquito carrying the virus is the only way the disease is contracted. The USCOM monitor is a safe, fast and noninvasive solution in the treatment of Dengue Fever. The machine closely monitors the patient for any complications of bleeding, hypotensive shock and organ failure. Dr. Shanthi Ratnam, Head of the Intensive Care Unit at Sungai Buloh, has already credited the USCOM monitor with saving many lives. She stated the Dengue virus has mutated in recent years, making it harder to diagnose and treat. The virus used to peak only twice a year. Today there are many cases of the disease following rain storms when the mosquitoes are disturbed. "Timely diagnosis is the key, then we can treat this disease", she said. Once diagnosed and treated, hospitalization from Dengue Fever is often reduced significantly, making the USCOM monitor as financially advantageous, as it is life saving.

Tai Mee Chin, Kuala Lumpur, spends five hours per day, three days a week, for the remainder of her life, connected to a kidney dialysis machine. The machine cleanses her blood, removes the toxins and returns the blood to her body. Without the use of this machine she will die.

LDS Charities recently donated the B Braun Dialysis Machine that prolongs her life and the lives of other kidney dialysis patients at the center. In 1993, the Malaysia National Kidney Foundation was the first NGO to offer dialysis treatment in Malaysia. There are 28 dialysis centers nationwide serving 1550 patients. The machine donated by LDS Charities was assigned to the Catholic Good Health Dialysis Center in Subang Jaya. One of 477 dialysis machines in the National Kidney Foundation nationwide network, the new machine will operate for approximately eight years, providing life saving clean blood to kidney patients.  Dialysis units donated by LDS Charities are in used in both East and West Malaysia.

LDS Charities is the Humanitarian arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They provide humanitarian assistance throughout the world. The purpose of LDS Charities is to relieve suffering, foster self-reliance, and provide opportunities for service for families of all nationalities. Sharon Eubank, director of LDS Charities recently stated in a conference at the United Nations  “To care for the poor is a foundational duty of anyone who reveres God and the brother and sisterhood of all—to serve, lift, bless, and relieve suffering independent of religious persuasions, social philosophy, nationality, tribe, gender, or background.” Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from around the world provide donations which sustain the work of LDS Charities.