On World Kidney Day, 13 March 2025, the Tzu Chi Renal Dialysis Centre held a grand opening ceremony in the Buangkok community. The event was officiated by the CEO of the National Kidney Foundation (NKF), Ms. Yen Tan (first from the right); the CEO of Tzu-Chi Foundation (Singapore), Mr. Low Swee Seh; Ang Mo Kio GRC MP Ms. Ng Ling Ling; NTUC Advisor Mr. Yeo Guat Kwang; representatives of the families of major donor Robert Goh and and Dr. Edwin Lim, Head of Medical Services at Tzu-Chi Foundation (Singapore).
“Are Your Kidneys OK? – Detect early, protect kidney health”.
With this theme, World Kidney Day 2025 called on the public to prioritise kidney health. On 13 March, the Tzu Chi Renal Dialysis Centre (RDC) marked a new chapter in its development with a grand opening ceremony in Buangkok. Ang Mo Kio GRC MP Ng Ling Ling officiated the event, which was attended by nearly 100 guests, including supporters, partners, major donors, and family members of renal patients.
In recent years, the number of kidney failure cases in Singapore has been rising, with the prevalence of diabetes-induced kidney disease among the highest in the world. In response to this alarming trend, Tzu-Chi Foundation (Singapore) has stepped up to meet the community’s needs. After five years of preparation and with the full support of the Ministry of Health and the National Kidney Foundation (NKF), Tzu Chi established its first non-profit dialysis centre. Operated by Tzu Chi, the centre provides affordable, high-quality hemodialysis treatment for local kidney patients.
On the opening day, nearly 100 guests from all walks of life, including supporters, partners, major donors, and family members of renal patients, gathered to witness this meaningful moment.
Through a sign language performance, RDC staff and renal patients expressed their well-wishes to the guests.
Joining hands to help dialysis patients feel good during treatment
At the opening ceremony, Mr. Low Swee Seh, CEO of Tzu-Chi Foundation (Singapore), recalled that since 2005, Tzu Chi has been providing financial assistance to new dialysis patients. After two decades of caring for renal patients, and in response to the shortage of non-profit dialysis centres in the northeast zone, Tzu Chi decided to establish its own dialysis centre. He also expressed special gratitude to the NKF for its support and training which helped in the centre’s operations.
Low Swee Seh emphasised that Tzu Chi adheres to the principle of “healing people, healing the sick, and healing the heart.” Beyond providing medical services, Tzu Chi also aims to enhance patients' quality of life through volunteer companionship, psychological support, and a variety of activities. The goal is for the RDC to be more than just a place for dialysis but serves as a “second home” where renal patients can recuperate in comfort and support one another.
He shared, “Many of our first batch of renal patients were referred from other dialysis centres, and they told our staff that they feel at home at the RDC. They felt the warmth and care, and they hope that in the future, the dialysis center can play a bigger role in the community. They also look forward to the opportunity for us to expand our services.”
Mr. Low Swee Seh, CEO of Tzu-Chi Foundation (Singapore), hopes that the RDC can help improve patient’s quality of life through volunteer companionship, psychological support, and diverse activities, becoming a “second home” where renal patients can recuperate with peace of mind and support one another.
When interviewed after the meeting, Ang Mo Kio GRC MP Ms. Ng Ling Ling expressed her recognition of the dedication of the RDC. She said that the centre not only provides medical care but also focuses on the physical and mental well-being of renal patients. The centre has started benefiting residents in the northeast since it began operations last year. Ng Ling Ling also expressed hope that in the future, the centre could make good use of its activity space to organise health promotion events, helping more families learn about nutrition and healthcare while fostering a healthy lifestyle.
“The business-class-like dialysis stations give renal patients great dignity and respect,” said Ng Ling Ling. “We hope that in the future, we can hold health promotion activities in the beautiful environment of the activity centre, attracting young families to come with their children and learn about nutrition and healthcare in a relaxing and fun atmosphere.”
NKF CEO Ms. Yen Tan emphasised that the challenge of the “tsunami of kidney disease” faced by Singapore requires the concerted efforts of the government, non-profit organisations, and the community. She stated that the establishment of the RDC is one of the best examples of such collaboration. “The growth of kidney failure cases in Singapore is alarming,” she said. “It would be ideal if all parties can commit to providing subsidised dialysis services to the nation, and I hope that Tzu Chi will soon have the opportunity to open a second centre.”
Ang Mo Kio GRC MP Ng Ling Ling (right) and Tzu-Chi Foundation (Singapore) CEO (left) presenting Certificates of Appreciation to the major donors of the RDC.
A dialysis center that not only brings peace of mind but also uplifts the spirit
“Here, I am not just a patient, but a part of a big family,” said Mr. Lim, a 63-year-old renal patient and one of the first patients at the RDC. When sharing his life experience, he emotionally expressed that Tzu Chi not only provided him with high-quality dialysis treatment but also helped him rise from a low point in his life.
Over the past year, Lim had been staying in a temporary shelter provided by a charity organisation due to estrangement from his family. Upon learning of his situation, Tzu Chi volunteers immediately came to his aid, helping him apply for a suitable HDB flat. As a dialysis patient, Lim is physically weak, so the volunteers took the initiative to help him settle into his new home by tidying up the house and donating furniture and a TV set, creating a warm living environment for him. The RDC became his “second home,” and, for the first time, he has his own cozy place to live in.
A team of medical volunteers take turns and go on shifts to comfort patients and care for the centre staff on weekdays. On this day, the same volunteer team from the Tzu Chi Renal Dialysis Centre performed a sign language rendition of the song "Let Love Spread" at the opening ceremony.
Currently, Lim undergoes 13 dialysis treatments per month at the RDC, costing approximately $2,600. After a social worker’s assessment, he is able to offset the expenses through government allowances, Tzu Chi’s dialysis subsidy, and MediShield Life. As a result, he only needs to pay $200 out-of-pocket each month using MediSave. This significantly reduces his financial burden and provides crucial support as he continues to work part-time.
Lim praised, “The nurses pay attention to many details about me and remember my favourite TV programmes. The volunteers chat with me, care about my daily life, and even visit me at home. This place truly feels like my second home.”
To show his gratitude, he performed two classic songs on the piano at the opening ceremony—“Friends” by Alan Tam and “Friends” by Emil Chau — dedicating them to the guests.
Grateful to the Tzu Chi volunteers for accompanying him on his life's journey, renal patient Mr. Lim specially played classic songs on the piano at the opening ceremony, dedicating them to Tzu Chi staff and volunteers.
Innovative designs that foster holistic care for both the body and the soul
“We hope that renal patients will not only receive high-quality medical care at the RDC, but also experience an overall enhancement in their body, mind, and spirit, so that their lives can improve,” said Mr. Khoo Jyh Hao, Head of the Charity Development Department at Tzu-Chi Foundation (Singapore), while introducing the centre's features.
One of the key features of the RDC is the presence of medical volunteers during operating hours. These volunteers not only assist with daily operations but also engage with patients, listen to their concerns, and provide psychological support when needed. Khoo Jyh Hao explained that Tzu Chi’s team of medical volunteers accompanies renal patients before, during, and after dialysis treatments to understand their living conditions, working alongside the social work team to provide appropriate assistance.
Equipped with sixteen dialysis stations, the centre features semi-enclosed dialysis spaces to protect patients' privacy. Each station is also fitted with adjustable-position TVs and remote controls to make the four-hour dialysis process more comfortable.
“The design of the dialysis centre prioritises humane considerations, with TV screens strategically positioned to align with the patient's line of sight, lighting that avoids direct glare, and a spacious environment that allows patients to relax during dialysis, ultimately enhancing the effectiveness of the treatment,” Khoo Jyh Hao added.
The semi-enclosed, personalised dialysis spaces reduce disturbances to kidney patients and enhance the quality of rest during dialysis.
In addition to medical care, the RDC has also set up a special activity space called the “Wellness Place”, which regularly hosts health talks and festive events. These activities encourage patients to communicate with one another and build a support network, helping them gain more psychological support as they fight against the disease.
Currently, the RDC is serving 31 patients, 24 of whom have received dialysis subsidies, while 10 have received other types of financial assistance. The youngest patient is 43 years old, and the oldest is 87. In the future, Tzu Chi plans to expand its services to help more renal patients in need.
Ang Mo Kio GRC Ms. MP Ng Ling Ling (first from the right), NKF CEO Ms. Yen Tan (first from the left), and NTUC Advisor Mr. Yeo Guat Kwang (second from the left), accompanied by Tzu Chi Foundation (Singapore) CEO Mr. Low Swee Seh, visited the dialysis center’s facilities and had a cordial exchange with renal patients.
After the successful conclusion of the opening ceremony, the centre's staff quickly focused on tidying up the place to ensure smooth daily operations and to receive renal patients. In the future, the RDC will continue to uphold the spirit of "healing people, healing the sick, healing the heart" and collaborate with people from all walks of life to do good together. This will ensure that every renal patient who enters the centre feels dignity and care, and enjoys an improved quality of life.
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