Driving Away the Demon of Illness

At the opening ceremony of the Buddhist Tzu Chi Kidney Dialysis Center in Penang state on August 2, 1997, Brother Chi Hang, director of the Tzu Chi Malaysia branch office, remarked that the establishment of the center was made possible by the generosity and support of many benevolent people in the hope that its free services would help poverty-stricken and desolate patients.

That date also marked the fourth anniversary of the Tzu Chi Malaysia branch office and the opening of the Tzu Chi Malaysia Publication Center. Dr. Tseng Wen-ping, director of Tzu Chi Hospital in Taiwan, Wang Tuan-cheng, vice CEO of the Tzu Chi Culture Center, and Tzu Chi members from Singapore and Malaysia took part in the grand opening ceremony. Koh Tsu Khoon, chief minister of Penang stste, and Master Chu Mu, a senior Buddhist monk, were also invited to the lamp-lighting ceremony at the Crystal Buddha statue and the unveiling of a picture showing Buddha curing a disciple.

"Tzu Chi Hospital was established eleven years ago," observed Dr. Tseng Wen-ping in his speech. "In the beginning, there were only four beds for kidney dialysis. Now there are twenty-four beds running in three shifts. Kidney dialysis needs long-term manpower and a tremendous amount of money. I hope the Buddhist Tzu Chi Kidney Dialysis Center in Malaysia will provide broader service in its operation to help more patients."

Facing financial expenditures of US$36,000 each month, Brother Chi Hang said that with a lot of hard work, he was sure more and more people would join in the charitable activities.

Koh Tsu Khoon commented that the establishment of the kidney dialysis center was a manifestation of great love. He hoped that the strength of this great love could serve as a motivation to make society better.

After visiting the kidney dialysis center, all the participants went on to the opening ceremony of the publication center. In his address, Wang Tuan-cheng said that love is a kind of care. Recipients should be able to feel that care, and at the same time the giver must endure the hardship of giving. This is what Master Cheng Yen meant when she said, "Work willingly and receive the results joyfully." Wang also encouraged all Tzu Chi members in Malaysia to become living water to purify people's minds, to be a major force to harmonize society, and to be the eyes and hands of the Great Compassion Bodhisattva and respond to the cries of the suffering. Wang also conveyed Master Cheng Yen's gratitude and blessings to the Tzu Chi people in Malaysia.

On the same day, Malaysia Tzu Chi joined the Internet. When Wang pushed the button on the computer, the Malaysia Tzu Chi cultural mission made a great stride toward the technology of the twenty-first century [Internet page: http://www.jaring.my/mtzuchi]. The day's activities ended with the dedication of the Malaysian Tzu Chi World Monthly.

Establishing the Kidney Dialysis Center

The establishment of the kidney dialysis center in Penang, Malaysia, was the hope of local patients who needed treatment. However, it was a severe test for Tzu Chi members in Malaysia. The following is a special interview with Brother Chi Hang, director of the Tzu Chi Malaysia Branch Office.

Q: When was the decision made to establish the Buddhist Tzu Chi Kidney Dialysis Center?

A: When we visited poor families, we found that a lot of their members needed kidney dialysis. For instance, in Penang there are 135 families that receive long-term care from Tzu Chi. Out of those families, more than thirty people need kidney dialysis now. They can't afford the long-term expenses, and there aren't enough hospitals to provide such treatment. Therefore, in September 1996, we organized a team to prepare for such an undertaking.

Q: Have you encountered any difficulties in doing the preparatory work over the past year?

A: Master Cheng Yen frequently tells us that the mission of medicine is concerned with life. In Malaysia, there is a critical shortage of nurses. In the beginning, we were worried that we wouldn't have any doctors and nurses. Right now, there is a physician who promised to retire early in order to volunteer in the center. Some Tzu Chi sisters who are nurses have also committed themselves to providing their services at the center. That has solved our most difficult problem. Although most volunteers are not professional medical personnel, with the help of those nurses and other professional organizations, we learned more about the manpower and facilities required for such a center. The welfare department of the local government also encouraged us to establish the kidney dialysis center. They suggested that we contact Central Hospital to ask for more information from their specialists. All this made us feel how important it was to set up such a center.

Q: Why did you choose the present location as a temporary center?

A: Sister Lin Pi-yu, one of the vice CEOs of the Tzu Chi Foundation, came here to have a look. She felt the center was too small, which would hinder its development in the future. However, we have too many patients waiting for dialysis. Master Cheng Yen instructed us to set up the center right away to help local patients. Therefore, we are using the present location as a temporary place for the center. Meanwhile, we are looking for someplace convenient and suitable for development. We expect that the new center will be ready in two years.

Q: Would you please tell us a little about the current manpower and facilities of the center?

A: Right now we have two nurses, one assistant and five machines. To assure the quality of service, we can only offer one shift for the time being. When the nurses are more skillful and we have more assistants, we will increase to six machines running in two shifts. We will also have one spare machine. We expect to have three shifts within one year, including one shift at night.

Q: Master Cheng Yen has said that the mission of medicine is concerned with life. In addition to "respect life," what other expectations does the Master have of Tzu Chi members in Malaysia?

A: Master Cheng Yen hopes that the kidney dialysis center will be another place for volunteers to dedicate themselves. Based on our tenet of "respect life," since the end of June we have been giving lessons to volunteers on interpersonal relationships and diets for kidney dialysis patients. We also encourage the volunteers to take part in formal nursing training.

Q: As I understand it, the fund-raising target at present is US$1.75 million. What about the target two years from now? Are you actually planning any fund-raising activities?

A: The target in two years will be US$2.85 million. Certainly there will be pressure. But all Tzu Chi members here are confident that as long as we do our job sincerely, we will win support from everyone.

As to fund-raising activities, many organizations have already contacted us. Because they support Tzu Chi's intention to set up the kidney dialysis center, they've promised to raise funds for us. Tzu Chi offices in other parts of Malaysia will also hold fund-raising activities for the center.

Q: Right now the center mainly renders services to patients from Tzu Chi's long-term care families. Since kidney dialysis is a chronic thing, you may have to look after the patients for the rest of their lives. Does this give you any pressure?

A: Sure, I feel the pressure. However, the Master said, "Willingness brings strength." I believe that with the support of all Tzu Chi members, we will solve the physical and psychological problems of the patients. In the meantime, the volunteers will realize the true meaning of "kindness, compassion, joy and unselfish giving."

Q: Since you are in charge of the center, would you please tell us about your thoughts?

A: I feel pleased and honored to have taken part in the establishment of the kidney dialysis center. As the Master said, "When many people work together, they create strength and blessings." During the preparation, I found that we really needed many benevolent people to participate in this mission and to cultivate the field of blessings. I am very grateful to all of them for their support and participation.

Sketch of a Kidney Dialysis Patient

The wood shack standing by the road gave off a feeling of coolness, dutifully resisting the burning heat from the scorching sun. It was like the plain talk of its mistress, Chen Ya-re, making you forget the heat. Although her pace was very slow, life to her was nothing but a heavy burden.

In July 1996, when Ya-re was informed by the doctor that she had to take kidney dialysis, she was dumbfounded. She refused to believe it was true. For a long time, she couldn't sleep or eat. She felt nauseous and her face was swollen. How could she explain all these symptoms? Unable to accept the cruel judgement, she visited several hospitals, trying to prove the diagnosis was wrong. Unfortunately, her own body was undeniable proof that she had a kidney problem.

Misfortunes followed one after another. Her husband was struck by lightning four years ago. She had to shoulder alone the heavy burden of supporting the family of four. If she had to undergo kidney dialysis three times a week, she might have to give up her job. How could she take care of her children? How could she afford to pay the hospital bills? She decided to just forget about it, because kidney dialysis would be a lifetime matter.

However, her breathing became more and more difficult, she became more listless, and her skin got dry and itchy. Finally, she had no choice but to accept kidney dialysis. The world became sheer darkness for her and her life was like a weak candle in the wind. She didn't know when that light would go out.

In the beginning, Ya-re had to take a bus from Peihai to Penang three days a week. Because of the long distance, she was transferred to a special hospital in Peihai. Each week she had to spend 240 Malaysian dollars on kidney dialysis. At that rate, the allowance of 5,000 Malaysian dollars she could get from the government would last only five months. Where would she obtain the money for her treatment afterwards?

The local Tzu Chi office, her neighbors, her children's school and a nearby Buddhist temple also helped out. But she still had to do odd jobs to earn more money for the family. She did clerical work for a direct sales company. Although she was a devout Christian, she even pasted up deities' pictures for a temple in order to make some money.

Just like other kidney dialysis patients, Ya-re had to insert the needle and operate and clean the machine herself. Sometimes, she did not operate the machine just right and she became overly dehydrated. The nutrition inside her body would be drawn out with the fluid. When that happened, she would be dizzy the whole day. Every three months, she had her blood tested. Because of her malnutrition, she needed blood transfusions. Once she needed seven bags, each bag containing 450 cc to 500 cc of blood. If the machine was not cleaned thoroughly, it would be less effective the next time. "After dialysis, I would have no evergy at all,"Ya-re said helplessly. "I would lie on the bed with no intention of moving. With or without dialysis, I always feel distressed, and I feel even more distressed when I do household chores." Because of her malnutrition, she could pull off bunches of hair from her head at any time.

Thinking of the troubles with dialysis, Ya-re frowned. She can only drink a maximum of less than a quart of water a day. Kidney dialysis patients have to strictly control water intake. Otherwise, it would be too much of a burden on the kidney.

In order to show her gratitude, Ya-re wanted to give Tzu Chi old newspapers for recycling. But Tzu Chi members preferred to let her use them to make paper bags to sell to the grocery store. Grateful for the care from others, Ya-re told her three young children, "Now people are helping our family, and when you grow up, you have to help others to show your gratitude to those who have helped us.