Kidney Association Facing Challenges

Ruby Nicholas

There have been an increasing number of patients with chronic renal failure in Belize and the association is looking for support from both the private and public sectors to address this health issue. Every three months, a U.S. doctor comes to Belize to offer similar services. President of the Association, Ruby Nicholas spoke of various challenges facing the association.

Ruby Nicholas, President, Kidney Association of Belize

“When we began, when we started the journey in creating awareness about kidney disease, it was on a slow pace. We are noticing that if we use the media and the Facebook, we notice that people are reaching out to us. Are we reaching the entire populace? Of course not and that is our goal. If we can reach out to as much people out there, then it brings awareness to themselves to take proper care of their health to avoid reaching to the stage of renal failure.”

Duane Moody

“So what are the challenges that you are facing in regards to that…in getting the message out there? …That people need to be getting tested to know their status?”

Ruby Nicholas

“Well basically we try to reach out to the public and somehow we don’t get to the mass to find out.”

Duane Moody

“…Lack of financing?”

Ruby Nicholas

“No, it is just lack of the fact that oh the individual would say I don’t need to come or they just don’t show the interest when it comes to health. Financing is another area and then we have the workers who have the eight to five jobs and cannot leave their facility to come and do tests. We are hoping for tomorrow, we can provide a twelve to one specifically for workers who may want to come and do their testing.”

A Kidney Health Fair will be held on Friday at the Lions Club Parking Lot beside the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital from nine a.m. to three p.m.