End stage renal failure - it's a condition affecting an increasing number of Belizeans - often a product of diabetes and hypertension. It results in patients needing dialysis two or three times a week to do what their kidneys can no longer do: clean their blood of impurities. It's very costly, and for those who cannot afford it - they must turn to the government - which can only treat a limited number of patients at Loma Luz and the KHMH. Privately, treatment for a year will cost a minimum of twenty five thousand dollars.
Government is under constant pressure to subsidize this service and yesterday in Corozal the Health Minister hinted that they might be looking at a new solution:...
Hon. Pablo Marin, Minister of Health
"I will be removing some of the contracts that are right now for dialysis service and I will give it to another group for us to be giving more services to our people, because I do not believe that only a portion of the people will be getting free dialysis and the rest of them are not getting."
His remark wasn't clear enough to suggest to whom the government may turn for these services, but we do know the Ministry is presently in negotiations with a private provider - but no agreement has been reached. We are told that in two weeks - a way forward should be finalized.
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