It is the first centre to be build by the combined efforts of residents, grassroots leaders and religious groups.

Previous centres were sponsored by individuals, or corporate or religious organisations.

The new Hougang-Punggol Dialysis Centre will be the NKF's 24th and will be located at Block 628, Hougang Avenue 8.

It will have 16 dialysis stations - enough to help 96 patients on a regular basis.

The centre, when it is ready early next year, will cut the travelling time for patients who live in Hougang and Punggol but who now have to travel as far as Simei, Pasir Ris or Tampines for dialysis.

The nearest Singapore Buddhist Welfare Services-NKF Dialysis Centre at Hougang Avenue 1 is unable to cater to all the patients living nearby.

Of the $1.6 million needed to build the centre, $1.1 million has already been raised thanks to various fund-raising initiatives, such as a walkathon and charity concert.

Organisations involved include the Singapore Buddhist Lodge and the Singapore Taoist Federation as well as the neighbouring community.

NKF chairman Gerard Ee said at the centre's brick-laying ceremony yesterday: 'My vision is for every NKF dialysis centre to be eventually 'owned' by the communities in which it exists.

'In this way, the local community can receive services from NKF just as it can contribute towards the NKF through volunteering and fund-raising activities.'

Foreign Minister and an MP for Aljunied GRC George Yeo was the guest of honour at yesterday's ceremony.

He said that, in the immediate aftermath of the NKF crisis, it was not possible for the charity to do direct fund-raising, but garnering funds to build a dialysis centre was 'clear and easy for people to understand'.

He praised the religious organisations as well as grassroots leaders who chipped in.

Hougang resident Madam Khoo Choo Pee, 78, has had to travel to Simei for dialysis for the past two years.

This has forced her to move in with her daughter, 51-year-old hawker Tan Ah Suan, because the latter's home in Bedok was nearer to the Simei dialysis centre.

But Madam Khoo is now planning to move back to her flat, located a few blocks from the new centre.

She said she was looking forward to moving home and getting treatment nearby.

janeng@sph.com.sg