New technology but can patients afford it?
There is no denying that the last five years have brought a revolution in the quality of health services available in Belize. From CAT scans to neonatal care, whether in private clinics or public hospitals, ailments that once sent Belizeans rushing to Chetumal are now routinely being taken care of at home. But having new technology and well trained doctors to use it does not guarantee success…and that’s because all these advancements cost money, money that many patients will never possess. And when that problem becomes a matter of life and death, what do we do? News 5’s Jacqueline Woods tried to find out.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
To a layman this is just a bunch of tubes, pumps and gauges?mbut if you’re a Belizean whose kidneys have failed, these three dialysis machines at Universal Health Services are the only thing standing between you and the cemetery. In the one year since the treatment was introduced the demand has increased dramatically.
Dr. Miguel Rosado, Kidney Specialist, U.H.S.
“We have at this present moment about fifty sessions per month. When we started we had about two sessions per week or eight sessions per month.”
The treatments are expensive and most of the patients simply cannot afford the service that can cost as high as five hundred and sixty dollars per session for Hemo-dialysis and one thousand four hundred dollars a month for Peritonal dialysis. Some patients have no choice but to skip treatments or even discontinue the care.
Dr. Miguel Rosado
“It’s a difficult problem because we have several patients coming in probably only able to do the first session of dialysis. So what we are doing, we are encouraging patients who cannot continue the programme of Hemo-dialysis to go into Peritonal dialysis which is cheaper, although the quality might not be as good as in Hemo-dialysis programme.”
Some families either hold fund raising drives or appeal to the public for financial assistance. But because the need for the care is open ended, the funds eventually run out.
Yvonne Jones, Daughter
“Every week we have to bring her so we are appealing to the public for help because it is a continual thing she has to do and its something that is just saving her life right now.”
Yvonne Jones says it has been difficult for her family to raise the money required for the Hemo-dialysis her mother so badly needs. Twenty years ago, sixty-five year old Isabel Flowers was diagnosed with diabetes. Six months ago, both her kidneys failed and she has been going to U.H.S. for one session per week. Jones says her mother is aware of the toll the health care has taken on the family and would rather go without the treatment. U.H.S. does offer special rates for Belizeans like the Flowers family, but it’s still out of reach for many who desperately need the service.
Yvonne Jones
“So we are asking for help because to get four hundred every week. They recommend her for twice a week, but its funds that we do not have now. So we are appealing to the public.”
A similar appeal is being made by the Belize Kidney Association. The association only several months old has been overwhelmed with calls for help.
Andrea Cox, President, Belize Kidney Association
“It’s countrywide we have them from north to south and all out at the Cayes, everywhere. So it is a continuous thing and this treatment, if the patients don’t get it, it’s fatal. It¡¦s a struggle for them to meet the payments continuously. So the association is appealing to the business association to assist in us, to make maybe a pledge of a quarterly pledge, annual pledge so we can have something to assist these patients with. We cannot do it on our either. We let the patients know that their family has to contribute also and they are willing to do that, but it’s hard.”
U.H.S. Kidney Specialist, Dr. Miguel Rosado, says chronic renal failure is one of the frequent complications they have noticed affecting a large number of their diabetic patients. Because the majority of Belizeans will never be able to afford the life saving treatment, Dr. Rosado advises anyone who is suffering with diabetes or hyper tension to start taking better care.
Dr. Miguel Rosado, Kidney Specialist
“It is very important that you follow your diet, your medications, exercise programme, continue with your medical treatment and continue with your medical advice.”
It is equally important for physicians to refer their patients to a kidney specialist as early as possible so the patients and their family can be put on a prevention programme
before it’s too late. Jacqueline Woods, for News Five.
If you would like to assist the Flowers family that was featured in the story you can make donations into Atlantic Bank account number 200-419588. Meanwhile the Belize Kidney Association is inviting anyone who would like to become a member to attend their monthly meeting this Saturday at two p.m. at the Stella Maris School lunch room on Princess Margaret Drive.