7 News Belize

Dialysis Patients Still Need Support
posted (October 9, 2018)
Last night we told you about the groundbreaking agreement that the Ministry of Health signed with four hemo-dialysis providers.

Under the terms of the agreement, every patient currently receiving dialysis at any of those facilities, will now get two sessions per week free, courtesy the Ministry of Health.

It's a great help and relief for many who are struggling to pay for dialysis which they need to stay alive, but the fact is, for persons with end stage renal failure, three sessions weekly are required.

Yesterday we asked the kidney association representative if more patients who are now struggling to pay for one or two, will now be able to pay for the third, while the government pays for the other two:..

Jules Vasquez, reporter
"We will see healthier people now, because those who were forcing to pay for two, can now certainly find money to pay for one, plus the two from government and get the three."

Ruby Nichols, Belize Kidney Association
"Yes. That is the idea. But realistically remember one dialysis can range from $200-$210. So although the person will be able to pay for that one dialysis a week, if you times that by 4, it still becomes a challenge and that's the reason why we are asking supporters, the family, those who are there to help out these patients, to still continue to support them. We do not want, because the ministry have given these patients their 2 dialysis that the public will say no, you have 2, so you don't need the other one. I want to publicly ask that they still continue to get that support from their families. Because having 3 dialysis put them at a much better optimum health."

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