If you are on haemodialysis, you will spend about 12 hours a week at a dialysis centre, not counting travel. So choosing a centre that is safe, easy to reach and fits your daily routine can make a big difference to your health and quality of life.
Use the checklist below when comparing dialysis centres. If you can, visit before you sign up and bring a family member with you. The nephrologist or nurses looking after you can also make suggestions.
Types of dialysis centre in Malaysia
- Government: dialysis units in government hospitals and some government health clinics. Charges are low, but places may be limited.
- Private: run by companies or private hospitals. There is usually a wider choice of locations and shifts. Fees vary from centre to centre.
- NGO: run by non-governmental organisations such as kidney foundations, welfare societies or religious bodies. Fees are usually lower or subsidised, but there may be admission criteria, such as a household income limit.
This guide focuses on haemodialysis centres. If you choose peritoneal dialysis, treatment is done at home and a PD unit will monitor you. See haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.
Checklist: safety and quality
MOH licence
Private and NGO haemodialysis centres must have approval and a licence from the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH, or KKM) under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 [Act 586]. A centre operating without a licence can be prosecuted. Do not be shy about asking to see a centre's licence. A good centre will be happy to show it. Licensing information is on the MOH Medical Practice Division website (in Bahasa Melayu).
Some centres also hold voluntary accreditation from the Malaysian Society for Quality in Health (MSQH). This is a plus, but it is not compulsory.
Doctors and nurses
- Which nephrologist supervises the centre, and how often do they or another doctor review patients?
- Can a doctor be reached if something goes wrong during a session?
- Do the nurses and medical assistants have specific training in haemodialysis?
- How many trained staff are on duty in each shift?
Water quality
Haemodialysis uses a large amount of water to make dialysis fluid, so the water must be treated properly. MOH guidelines require dialysis water to be treated with a reverse osmosis (RO) system and tested regularly for bacteria and endotoxins. Ask when the water was last tested and whether the results met the standard.
Infection control
- Patients are usually tested for hepatitis B before starting treatment and after returning from dialysis at another centre, and are retested regularly.
- Patients with hepatitis B must be treated in a separate room with dedicated machines. Patients with hepatitis C must also be separated, with dedicated machines.
- If you have hepatitis B or C, make sure the centre has suitable isolation facilities. You can search for centres that accept hepatitis B patients or hepatitis C patients.
- Ask whether dialysers are single-use or reprocessed, and how they are cleaned and tested before being reused.
Emergency readiness
- Does the centre have resuscitation equipment such as a defibrillator and oxygen?
- Is at least one staff member trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on duty in every shift?
- Which hospital are patients sent to in an emergency?
- What is the plan if the water or electricity supply is cut?
Checklist: schedule, location and facilities
- Distance and transport: You will travel to the centre three times a week, possibly for years. Think about traffic, parking, public transport and who will take you. Many people feel tired after a session.
- Shifts: Most centres run several shifts a day, and some offer late afternoon or night shifts. Choose a shift that fits around your work, your children's school or your carer. Ask whether there is a waiting list for the shift you want and whether you can change shifts later.
- Physical access: Is there a ramp or lift at the entrance, and a toilet suitable for wheelchair users?
- Comfort: Comfortable chairs or beds, room temperature, TV or Wi-Fi, a waiting area for carers and a prayer room.
- Food: Can you eat or bring food during a session?
- Visiting dialysis: If you often go back to your hometown or travel, ask whether the centre can help arrange dialysis elsewhere. See travelling on dialysis.
Checklist: fees and payment
- Session fee: Fees vary between centres. Ask for a written quote.
- What is included: Does the fee cover anaemia injections (EPO), iron injections, regular blood tests, doctor reviews and medicines? Or are they charged separately?
- Other charges: Ask about registration deposits, charges for extra sessions and charges on public holidays.
- PERKESO (SOCSO): If you qualify for PERKESO dialysis support, treatment at a PERKESO panel centre is provided free of charge. Treatment at a non-panel centre is subject to PERKESO's terms. See the list of PERKESO panel centres.
- Other help: Patients at NGO centres may be able to apply for a government subsidy. Ask whether the centre's staff can help you apply for aid, including from zakat or your employer.
Read dialysis costs and financial aid for more detail.
Questions to ask on a visit
- Does this centre hold a valid MOH licence?
- Which nephrologist is in charge, and how often are patients reviewed by a doctor?
- Which shifts and days still have places?
- What is the total monthly fee, and what does it include?
- Is the centre on the PERKESO panel, or on my employer's or insurer's panel?
- When is the water tested, and can I see the results?
- How does the centre manage patients with hepatitis B and C?
- What happens if I am late for or miss a session?
- Who can I contact outside opening hours?
- Can a family member stay with me during a session?
Tip: Notice the atmosphere when you visit. Is the centre clean? Do the staff take time to answer your questions? If patients in the waiting area are happy to chat, ask about their experience.
Next steps
- Find a dialysis centre by state and city, or see locations on the map.
- Check the list of PERKESO panel centres if you contribute to PERKESO.
- Get ready for your first dialysis session.
- Spotted something wrong in the directory? Contact us so we can update it.