This story was first published in Singapore Health, May-Jun 2016 issue.
 
His kidney disease had reached the stage where he had to undergo dialysis. Yet, Mr Lai Saik Ling was reluctant to agree to the treatment. A lorry driver till about 20 years ago, the single, elderly man had little savings and was afraid he wouldn’t be able to pay for dialysis.
 
“His doctor told him that he had to do it, or he would die. But he refused because he felt that it was too expensive,” said his sister, Mdm Lai Feng Jiao, 64, in Mandarin.
 
Someone who needs haemodialysis – which involves diverting blood into a machine to be filtered before it is returned to the body – must undergo the procedure several times a week. At a private haemodialysis centre, Mr Lai can expect to pay an average of $200 per dialysis session. The 78-year old is required to undergo three sessions of haemodialysis per week.
 
When his doctors at Singapore General Hospital (SGH) found out the reason for his reluctance, they referred him to the hospital’s Medical Social Services. Mr Clinton Shi, Medical Social Worker, SGH, helped him to apply to a VWO (voluntary welfare organisation) for subsidised haemodialysis, as well as to the hospital’s Needy Patients Fund for help to pay for dialysis at a private centre in the meantime.
 
“The SGH Needy Patients Fund provides short-term financial assistance for patients who have been assessed to be financially needy."
- Mr Clinton Shi, Medical Social Worker, SGH
 
“Generally, VWOs have long waiting lists, so patients may have to wait three to six months before they are placed at one of their haemodialysis centres for subsidised treatment,” said Mr Shi. “During the interim period, patients like Mr Lai have to undergo dialysis at private centres.”
 
To tide Mr Lai over this period, Mr Shi was able to get the Needy Patients Fund to pay for his dialysis for the first two months, and another charitable fund for the remaining months.
 
“The SGH Needy Patients Fund provides short-term financial assistance for patients who have been assessed to be financially needy,” said Mr Shi.
 
With dialysis, Mr Lai’s quality of life has improved significantly. He no longer feels the terrible tiredness and breathlessness from carrying a lot of fluid and waste in his system. Each time Mr Lai completes dialysis, he feels able to breathe properly again.
 
Being able to enjoy simple yet meaningful activities like doing volunteer work, singing in a Cantonese clan association music group, or just spending time with his siblings has given Mr Lai a new lease of life, said his sister.
 
“We don’t have to worry about money too much now. We also have our own families to take care of,” said Mdm Lai, adding that her brother and their family are very thankful for the financial aid to help him start dialysis.