Free dialysis, not a long term option

Free dialysis, not a long term option
13:05 Thu Dec 19, 2013

Report by: Edwin Nand
FIJI
People needing dialysis treatment must meet certain criteria before they can be considered for free dialysis treatment provided by the Health Ministry.
Minister Dr. Neil Sharma says long term free treatment is not viable due to the high costs.
However, they can assist people who have found a donor for a kidney transplant and can show funds to pay for the overseas surgery.
If they opt for a kidney transplant, then the government will give them three months treatment for free. Having treated them, the patients must proceed to a kidney transplant. If they do so, the government pays their air fares and that of the donor.
The Health Minister says it’s unrealistic to provide free dialysis treatment for chronic patients who don’t have a donor and have not opted for a transplant.
Should the ministry’s plans come to fruition, there could be a day when there’s no cost for kidney transplants.
We are looking at developing the transplant services in Fiji, then the donors (and patients) would be treated here in Fiji at nominal costs – possibly no cost. So we will need to prospect that.
Dialysis treatment in India costs between 30 to 40 thousand dollars.

http://www.fbc.com.fj/fiji/16327/free-dialysis,-not-a-long-term-option