A Legacy Project That Changed the Nation’s Healthcare Landscape
Of all the projects undertaken by the Rotary Club of Petaling Jaya, none has been bigger, more ambitious, or more far-reaching than the establishment of the National Kidney Foundation of Malaysia (NKF) — a project the Club is rightfully proudest of.
In the 1960s, Malaysia faced a glaring gap in medical care for kidney disease patients. At the time, only two hospitals in the entire country had any kidney treatment facilities — Hospital Kuala Lumpur and Assunta Hospital in Petaling Jaya — and even those were widely regarded as wholly inadequate. For the vast majority of Malaysians suffering from kidney failure, there was simply nowhere to turn. The story that galvanised a nation began with Harry Kydd, a young teacher battling end-stage kidney failure. His plight, brought to public attention by his uncle — a journalist — and Dr. S.S. Gill, a pioneering nephrologist, moved the public to action. Malaysia’s first dialysis machine was flown in from the United States, allowing Dr. Gill to provide life-saving treatment. Though Harry sadly passed away, his legacy ignited a national determination to do better for kidney patients.
In 1968, after hearing of Dr. Gill’s experiences first-hand, the Rotary Club of Petaling Jaya made a formal commitment to help. Reflecting the strong medical interest among its members, the Club took the initiative to establish a foundation that would not only address immediate treatment needs, but also promote public education on kidney disease and raise funds for research and training. The National Kidney Foundation of Malaysia was formally established on 16 January 1970, with the support of Malaysia’s then Minister of Health, Tan Sri Haji Sardon bin Haji Jubir, who served as NKF’s first President. At its launch, over 200 business leaders, diplomats, and patients came together united by a single vision — to give every Malaysian living with kidney disease a fighting chance.
The Foundation’s first Board of Managers was led by Rotarians from PJ. John Henderson, then incumbent President of the Rotary Club of PJ, served as Chairman. Ray Hardless served as Vice-Chairman, Oscar Fernandez as Secretary, and George Wismer, the Club’s Director of Community Service, as a Board Member. The Foundation’s goals, though seemingly ambitious, were grounded in urgent necessity. An initial sum of RM1 million was targeted to upgrade kidney facilities at Hospital Kuala Lumpur and Assunta Hospital in PJ, and to establish regional kidney units in Penang, Malacca, Sarawak, and Sabah.
The impact was swift and profound. By 1971, the Foundation had made such steady progress that it played a major role in prompting the Government to establish the Institute of Urology and Neurology just four years later — a testament to what Rotary-led civic initiative can achieve. In 1993, NKF went on to become Malaysia’s first NGO to establish and operate a dialysis centre for low-income patients, at Jalan Hang Lekiu — setting a new standard for affordable, accessible care. Today, NKF operates 32 dialysis centres nationwide, continuing to expand its reach to underserved communities across Malaysia. In 1996, the Malaysian Government formally recognised the Foundation’s impact by pledging RM25 million to support the creation of new centres, and extended an invitation for government representation on the NKF Board. While Rotarians from PJ no longer dominate the Foundation’s leadership, the Club continues to hold its representation on the NKF Board — a quiet but enduring symbol of the bond forged at its founding.
The establishment of the National Kidney Foundation stands as proof that a small group of dedicated volunteers, armed with nothing more than conviction and willingness to act, can leave a legacy that outlasts any of them. Every Malaysian who has received kidney care through NKF is, in some way, a beneficiary of the Rotary Club of Petaling Jaya’s resolve. This is what Service Above Self truly looks like.