Almost Half Of Chronic Kidney Patients In Malaysia Lost Their Jobs - Study

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 19 (Bernama) -- A recent study on kidney disease found that nearly half of patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the country lost their jobs due to their deteriorating health conditions.

The study led by the medical lecturer and nephrology specialist at the Faculty of Medicine and Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz (HCTM) Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Dr Lydia Kamaruzaman, raises concerns about the future of this group, especially those who rely on long-term dialysis treatment.

Dr. Lydia stated that the majority of those affected are diabetes mellitus patients, accounting for 67 per cent and high blood pressure patients (92.8 per cent), which are the main risk factors for CKD.

"Additionally, 55.3 per cent of the patients in this study also suffered from obesity, which is associated with various health complications that further worsen their condition," she said in a statement issued by the UKM Corporate Communications Centre here today.

It is also concerning as the study found that most unemployed CKD patients come from the B40 group, with 86 per cent of them falling into the low-income category.

She said that the lack of a steady income causes patients to face difficulties in bearing treatment costs that can reach RM40,000 a year, thereby increasing the financial burden on families and national healthcare system.

"Besides health factors, education level also plays an important role in the employment opportunities of CKD patients. Studies have found that patients with higher education levels have an 81 per cent chance of continuing to work compared to those with only a low level of education.

"This shows that more flexible jobs that rely less on physical strength provide better opportunities for CKD patients to continue their lives without losing their livelihoods," she said.

In terms of mental health, Dr. Lydia said that unemployed CKD patients are reported to be more likely to experience higher emotional stress, including issues of depression and anxiety.

"For patients who are still working, the study found that they experience a work disability rate of 24.3 per cent, and 13.3 per cent of them have to take sick leave regularly due to the impact of this disease on their health," she said.

Therefore, she urged that immediate action be taken to introduce more comprehensive policies and support for CKD patients, particularly in the aspects of employment and healthcare, including the establishment of flexible work programmes, medical subsidies and health insurance to reduce their financial burden.

"This disease not only affects their bodies but also disrupts their daily lives, including their jobs and finances. Therefore, proactive measures need to be taken to ensure they can continue their lives better," she also said.

She emphasised that joint efforts from all parties, including the government, healthcare providers and the community, are crucial to ensure that CKD patients receive adequate support, not only in medical treatment but also in financial and job stability.

-- BERNAMA