June 01, 2012 17:50 PM

Sayang Dialysis Franchise Helps Entrepreneurs And Patients

By Ahmad Shazwan Md Yusof

KUALA LUMPUR, June 1 (Bernama) -- Since franchising is one of the ways to fast track business development, Malaysia has introduced the National Franchise Development Master Plan (PIPFN) to help local businesses develop through franchises.

In fact, there are many franchise programmes at present, offering numerous ways to make money.

One unique franchise system involves running dialysis clinics for kidney failure patients, where the dialysis centre, instead of charging the patients, looks for sponsors to redeem the cost.

Sayang Dialysis is a franchise owned by Pakar Dialysis Traktif Sdn Bhd which provides dialysis treatment where the cost is reimbursed by the company through funds and sponsorships from welfare and philanthropic organisations such as Pusat Zakat.

The managing director of Sayang Dialysis, Shazali Shauf, told Bernama that "Looking at the dialysis patients, whose numbers have been increasing by about 10 per cent annually, we believe we could cater to their needs."

According to Shazali, the rising number of patients created the requirement for more dialysis machines, as one machine can only cater to six patients.

PIPFN'S BENEFITS

"The franchise programme serves as a springboard for us. We will be able to progress further. This has made it easier for us to conduct business.

"The franchise programme has helped us reorganise our business," Shazali remarked.

Therefore, the first Sayang Dialysis centre for public benefit was opened in Semenyih in March.

"That is not all; the company's development has also become more dynamic because of the assistance provided by the government through the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Consumerism and Cooperatives, which identifies how to reduce business risks and instil greater professionalism," he said.

Shazali acknowledged that the encouragement provided to franchisers and franchisees has been very helpful.

"For anyone interested in participating in a franchise, the franchisers will help by sharing their expertise for a fee of seven percent imposed for the first five years.

"After that, the franchise holder is free to continue with the franchise or switch to a new name," he explained, adding that he has plans to open up three more Sayang Dialysis franchises - one each in Temerloh, Johor and Rawang.

SOCIAL SERVICE

According to Shazali, Sayang Dialysis not only provides services to kidney patients but also gives them the avenue to meet and share their problems.

"Other than undergoing dialysis, patients also get to know one another, and this provides them some comfort," said Shazali, who started Sayang Dialysis with the help of a close friend.

Sayang Dialysis also helps patients learn more about their disease and enhances their self-esteem.

"This is part of our efforts to help those in a difficult situation," Shazali pointed out.

LONG-TERM PLANNING

Shazali next wants to open an educational institution known as Institut Traktif.

"That's not all; our long-term plan is to set up a tertiary institute like Institut Jantung Negara (IJN) for kidney diseases. This is because the number of kidney patients is rising every year, and this calls for a highly specialised hospital where one can get the best treatment.

"This may sound like a grandiose idea to some, but to me, it is not impossible to achieve. All this is part of the social service that we are trying to offer to society, through the assistance of PIPFN," he noted, adding that success is not easily obtained.

"With more clinics under the Sayang Dialysis franchise, we hope to strengthen the company's branding, apart from opening these avenues to other entrepreneurs," Shazali added.

-- BERNAMA

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