UM Vascular Surgery and DaVita Malaysia Launch Groundbreaking CSR Initiative to Enhance Vascular Health and Kidney Care

UM Vascular Surgery and DaVita Malaysia Launch Groundbreaking CSR Initiative to Enhance Vascular Health and Kidney Care

UM Vascular Surgery, in collaboration with DaVita Malaysia, is proud to announce a pioneering Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative aimed at improving kidney care and advancing vascular health outcomes in Malaysia. This initiative is a significant stride in our ongoing mission to support patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and raise public awareness about the critical importance of effective dialysis treatment options, particularly through the creation and use of Arteriovenous Fistulas (AVFs).

Addressing the Critical Need for Enhanced Kidney Care

Chronic kidney disease is a growing public health challenge, affecting millions worldwide and leading to severe complications if not managed effectively. For patients undergoing dialysis, the choice of vascular access is vital to their treatment success and overall quality of life. AVFs, which are surgically created connections between an artery and a vein, have emerged as the gold standard for dialysis access due to their durability, efficiency, and significantly lower risk of infection compared to other methods such as catheters or grafts.

Despite these advantages, many patients in Malaysia face prolonged waiting times for AVF creation, often relying on temporary central venous catheters (CVCs), which carry a higher risk of complications. Currently, the national CVC rate in Malaysia is estimated to be around 25-30%, highlighting the urgent need for timely AVF creation across the country.

Key Objectives of the CSR Initiative

Our CSR initiative focuses on addressing these challenges through a comprehensive approach:

  1. Educational Outreach and Awareness: We are launching a series of educational workshops, seminars, and digital campaigns designed to empower patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals with critical knowledge about AVFs. By highlighting the long-term benefits of AVFs and promoting early adoption, we aim to ensure that more patients receive the best possible care.
  2. Patient Support and Counseling: This initiative includes comprehensive patient support programs, offering personalized counseling before and after AVF surgery. Our goal is to guide patients through every step of their treatment journey, ensuring they are well-prepared and confident in their decisions. Special attention is given to patients from underprivileged communities, with support for transport and clinic visits to ensure access to care.
  3. Community Engagement and Public Health: Through targeted public awareness campaigns, we will educate local communities about the risks of CKD, the benefits of early intervention, and the critical role AVFs play in dialysis treatment. These efforts are aimed at encouraging proactive health management and fostering a supportive environment for those affected by kidney disease.

AVF Creation Workshop: A Hands-On Approach to Improving Patient Outcomes

As a key component of this initiative, we are excited to collaborate with the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) for the AVF Creation Workshop for Masters of Surgery 2024. Scheduled for 29-30 August 2024 at UMMC, this workshop will provide invaluable training for surgical trainees under the guidance of Consultant Surgeons.

During this workshop, 16 selected patients from four high-CVC-rate centers (Meru, Andalas, Bangsar, and Sri Rampai) will undergo AVF creation. These patients have been chosen based on criteria favoring those under 50 years of age and non-diabetic. This selection is driven by clinical evidence showing that younger patients and those without diabetes have a higher likelihood of successful AVF maturation and long-term patency. By focusing on this demographic, we aim to maximize the success rate of AVF creation and reduce the reliance on CVCs, which are associated with higher risks of infection and other complications.

Ensuring Compliance and Ethical Patient Care

At UM Vascular Surgery and DaVita Malaysia, we are committed to upholding the highest standards of medical ethics and patient care. This CSR initiative has been carefully developed in alignment with all relevant healthcare regulations and guidelines, ensuring that our efforts are both responsible and patient-centered. In cases where AVF creation is unsuccessful, patients will be seamlessly integrated into the UMMC system for further care, ensuring no patient is left without support.

Join Us in Making a Difference

We invite kidney disease patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and anyone passionate about improving kidney health to join us in this transformative initiative. Together, we can make a significant impact on the lives of those affected by CKD and contribute to the advancement of vascular health care in Malaysia.