Continuing Dialysis Care While Travelling: A Patient’s Journey to Vietnam

When it comes to international travel, the situation can be somewhat complicated if one needs to adhere to a dialysis regimen. Most importantly, patients undergoing dialysis treatment must keep to their schedule, which means that missing a session is simply out of the question. Therefore, if anyone on a dialysis program is planning a trip, the trip should be planned very carefully in advance.

This was the case for Koh Kiang Tong, a 71-year-old man from Malaysia, who travelled to Vietnam and had to ensure he could continue his dialysis sessions while there through MediGence. Thanks to the efforts of medical personnel, Koh Kiang Tong received the required sessions at Vinmec in Vietnam, allowing him to complete his treatment while travelling.

Planning Medical Care Before Travel

Koh Kiang Tong used an online service to plan his dialysis sessions in Vietnam. He made this arrangement in June 2025 through MediGence, enabling him to receive dialysis while travelling outside Malaysia. This type of planning minimises the worries faced by patients who need regular treatment; rather than having to suspend their treatment, patients can plan ahead for their care and obtain treatment when they reach their destination.

Receiving Dialysis in Vietnam

For those undergoing dialysis, international travel involves more than just booking flights and accommodation; patients must also ensure that dialysis sessions are scheduled to align with their travel plans and that a medical centre at the destination provides the necessary dialysis facilities. Koh Kiang Tong arranged his dialysis in Vietnam through MediGence.

Koh's healthcare process was planned in accordance with his itinerary. The process of keeping everything in order included identifying a suitable location, planning the sessions of dialysis, and making sure he would receive the needed treatment on the days he was in Vietnam.

The medical treatment started on June 13, 2025, and the arrangements for dialysis had been completed before the treatment began. The dialysis took place at Vinmec and was an outpatient procedure. Since international patients must have everything done in advance of a journey for chronic treatment, this offers added safety for travel.

Dialysis During an International Trip

He started his medical programs on June 13, 2025, with all the dialysis plans being arranged prior to the treatment. Vinmec was where he had been undergoing outpatient dialysis. For patients coming from abroad, it is advisable to arrange their dialysis beforehand, before the medical plan kicks off on June 13, 2025, with all arrangements made in advance of the treatment process.

For Koh, the objective was straightforward: continue his required dialysis care while travelling in Vietnam. By arranging the sessions in advance, through Arhama (his case coordinator), he could maintain access to his treatment while being away from his usual healthcare setting in Malaysia.

The Importance of Continuity of Care

Continuity of treatment is particularly important for patients undergoing regular dialysis. A break in scheduled treatment can lead to accumulation of fluid and waste products and may affect the patient's health.

As a result, travelling abroad requires some advance planning. Patients need to talk to their nephrologist or dialysis provider before travelling. The team of health professionals can let the patients know whether it is safe to travel, what medical documentation is needed, and what arrangements should be made with the dialysis centre at the destination.

A coordinated medical travel service can also assist with communication between the patient's existing healthcare providers and the destination facility.

In Koh's case, arrangements were made for dialysis treatment in Vietnam, allowing him to receive care during his trip rather than having to abandon his travel plans because of his medical needs.

Continuing Life Beyond Treatment

Even at the age of 71, Koh successfully went from Malaysia to Vietnam and did not miss his dialysis sessions thanks to medical arrangements. His story shows that it is not impossible for people undergoing regular dialysis to travel internationally.

With appropriate medical advice, advance planning, and coordination with a suitable dialysis centre, patients may be able to continue essential treatment while travelling.

His journey from Malaysia to Vietnam ultimately combined two important priorities: maintaining continuity of dialysis care and allowing him to continue his planned trip.

Koh Kiang Tong went through his prescribed dialysis at Vinmec in Vietnam on an outpatient basis. He had no complications, no additional procedures, and no adverse events according to the information available in the case.

His experience shows that careful planning can help patients who need regular medical care to travel more confidently. For patients in need of dialysis who are travelling internationally, it is important to see your nephrologist as soon as possible and coordinate with the dialysis centre in the destination country.