Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation

The Tzu Chi foundation in Malaysia recently donated 10 dialysis machines to a government-owned free clinic in Yangon, Myanmar and sent technicians to train the staff how to use them. It hopes to inspire other clinics and hospitals in the country to offer free dialysis treatment to those who need it.

Dialysis is used to treat people whose kidneys are not functioning properly. It is an expensive treatment; many patients, in Myanmar as in other countries, die because they cannot afford the treatment. Ten years ago, foundation volunteers in Malaysia began to offer free dialysis treatment and inspired other charities to follow suit. Its dialysis center in Kedah provided the 10 machines and shipped them, free of charge, to the Phyosaedanar clinic in Brumes in Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city and former capital. Volunteers helped to install the machines and technicians taught the clinic’s staff in how to operate them. They carefully took notes and, in turn, used the machines in order to familiarize themselves with the wonderful presents.

The gift greatly moved the Mayor of Yangon who came in person to present a letter of thanks to the volunteers. In the letter, he said that the volunteers were spreading their culture of love and thanked them for their contribution to the needy kidney patients of Myanmar.