Final Project Research 1 – Kidney Dialysis Foundation
January 25, 2010
http://www.kdf.org.sg/index.aspx
The Kidney Dialysis Foundation (KDF) is a non-profit charitable organisation, established in February 1996 by Dr Gordon Ku, a kidney specialist. KDF provides subsidised dialysis treatment to needy members of the community so that these patients will not be deprived of treatment due to financial difficulties . Patients needing treatment from KDF are referred by the medical social workers in the restructured hospitals.
A holistic approach is taken when caring for patients as it is KDF’s mission to look after the well-being of patients by nurturing hope and confidence to make life more meaningful, even for the most destitute. With the commitment to provide high quality, low cost treatment to patients who are unable to afford treatment KDF has with the support of donors and sponsors, set up a few centres to care for its patients. As at 31 March 2009 KDF has served over 519 patients of which 53 have undergone successful kidney transplantations. It is currently serving about 274 patients and annually, $6.4 million is needed to continue this life-saving mission.
Source: http://www.kdf.org.sg/about.aspx
Who are their “clients”?
KDF only attend to patients who are from the lowest 10% of the income group and referred by the medical social workers from the restructured hospitals. Most of the patients hold jobs such as cleaners, hawker assistants, store assistants and taxi drivers.
Source: http://www.kdf.org.sg/about.aspx
Age of the kidney patients at KDF
The patients were mainly from the 41 to 60 year old age group. As at 31 March 2009, this group of patients constituted 66.8% of the total population. The elderly patients (more than 60 yrs old) represent 25.5% of the total patient population.
Source: http://www.kdf.org.sg/patient.aspx
Creating more awareness
In order to create more awareness, I think that we probably should not forget that most of the kidney patients visiting KDF were 41 years old and above. Thus, I think that advertising through the Internet (eg. Facebook, Twitter) and through their website is not that appropriate. I think that is might be better if they also could advertise through television and newspaper.
