Disease and dialysis no barrier for engineer

By P. ARUNA
aruna@thestar.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR: Chuah Seong Ban was diagnosed with end-stage kidney failure seven years ago, but he thumbed his nose at his condition and has become a ray of hope for other patients instead.

“When I first found out that I had the disease, of course, I was devastated,” said the electrical engineer, who has to attend four-hour dialysis treatments three times a week.

The news came as a shock to Chuah (pic),

who did not have any other health condition prior to the diagnosis.

“In the beginning, I locked myself at home and refused to meet anyone,” said Chuah.

He later decided not to allow the disease to keep him down.

Chuah, along with 29 other dialysis patients, participated in the “World Kidney Day Run 2011” held at the

Merdeka Square

here in conjunction with World Kidney Day yesterday.

“It is important not to give up,” said Chuah, 39, who recently took on the responsibility as president of a support group for those suffering from chronic kidney diseases.

The “Patient Support Group” which has almost 700 members, is funded by the National Kidney Foundation (NKF).

“We reach out to all our members and help them to deal with living with the disease,” he said, adding that the group advocated easier access to dialysis treatment and lower prices for medication besides providing health information to its members about the latest treatment and healthcare issues.

Besides the inevitable changes, like not being able to travel as much due to his dialysis sessions, Chuah said his life was still normal.

“It is important not to give up,” he said.

For more details on the support group, call 03-79549048 or email welfare@nkf.org.my.