Opening Of The Singapore Children's Society heading

21 Oct 2004

By Dr Balaji Sadasivan, Senior Minister of State for Information, Communications and the Arts and Health

Venue: SGH Peritoneal Dialysis Centre

Address By Dr Balaji Sadasivan, Senior Minister Of State For Information, Communication And The Arts And Health At The Opening Of The Singapore Children's Society - SGH Peritoneal Dialysis Centre On 21 October 2004 At 10.15 Am At 9 Hospital Drive

Mr Koh Choon Hui, Chairman, Singapore Children's Society

Professor Tan Ser Kiat, CEO, Singapore General Hospital

Distinguished guests

Ladies and gentlemen,

Singapore has one of the highest rates of end-stage renal disease in the world. In the last few years, we have about 700 new cases of end-stage renal disease each year. The ideal treatment for these patients is to have a kidney transplant. However, as there are insufficient kidneys for transplants, many of the patients would require haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. At present, there are nearly 3,500 patients on dialysis in Singapore, of whom around 20% are on peritoneal dialysis.

Singapore became one of the first countries in the region to offer peritoneal dialysis when the Singapore General Hospital implemented its Peritoneal Dialysis Programme in 1980. The programme started with only five patients. Seven years later, the number of patients grew to 131. Today, there are about 500 peritoneal dialysis patients under the care of SGH's nephrologists. Last year, 41% of the new end stage kidney disease patients managed by SGH opted for peritoneal dialysis.

Although peritoneal dialysis and haemodialysis are equally effective, more of our patients have been opting for haemodialysis. We believe there are several reasons for this. Firstly, patients on peritoneal dialysis have to take responsibility for their own treatment, and many patients will need a great deal of support and encouragement to overcome the fear of managing a treatment regime. Another reason is that haemodialysis is better known in Singapore than peritoneal dialysis, and by default, people will opt for haemodialysis.

Both modalities of dialysis have their own advantages and disadvantages. One of the differences is that patients on haemodialysis have to go to a centre three times a week whereas peritoneal dialysis is a home-based therapy. There are two types of peritoneal dialysis: Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis and Automated Peritoneal Dialysis where the patients can have their dialysis at night while sleeping, with the help of a machine. Being a home-based therapy, less medical manpower and therefore lower cost is required to run a peritoneal dialysis centre compared with a haemodialysis centre.

These modalities are complementary. Some patients are more suitable for haemodialysis while others are more suitable for peritoneal dialysis. Patients may have to switch from one form of dialysis to the other at different periods of treatment. Ultimately, the decision on which modality to opt for may also be dependent on the personal preference and lifestyle of the patients.

The Singapore Children's Society - SGH Peritoneal Dialysis Centre is the first collaboration between a Voluntary Welfare Organisation (VWO) and a public hospital in Singapore in setting up a peritoneal dialysis centre. The centre provides services to train patients and caregivers, and for the review of the patients by the dietician, doctor and nurse.

The objective of the partnership between Singapore Children's Society and SGH is to provide better medical care and social support for peritoneal dialysis patients. Whilst SGH's team of nephrologists focus on the medical care of patients, the Singapore Children's Society will provide the financial and social support for peritoneal dialysis patients who are needy. In line with the Singapore Children's Society's core focus, priority will be given to patients who are caregivers of children. The financial support programme run by the Singapore Children's Society has been in place since October 2002. To-date, 56 patients has benefited from the programme.

In closing, I wish Singapore Children's Society and SGH success in this collaboration.