Will More Persons Be Added to Dialysis Programme?

Ramon Figueroa

Once the Ministry of Health finalizes the facilities which will offer the hemo-dialysis services, the next step is to determine who gets on the list. C.E.O. Ramon Figueroa was ask about the selection process considering that there are many persons who are in dire need of dialysis but cannot afford it. He says that they are hoping to get at least twenty-five new persons onto the one point eight million dollar subsidy programme, but the time-line is still not final.

Dr. Ramon Figueroa, C.E.O., Ministry of Health

“Well, we have a mechanism, from the very beginning when we set up the project we had a mechanism defined in terms of the selection process. We are revising the criteria. Basically, looking at people who don’t have the economic means – so unfortunately, you have to go through a prioritization process because you can’t cover everybody. So, those criteria were set up and there is a committee that selected it and it was basically a medical decision with some social guidelines in terms of who goes into the dialysis programme and it is a committee that does that selection. So, presently we are revising the terms of reference and revising the criteria but basically it should be in the same manner; transparent selection process.”

Andrea Polanco

“Is it a two million dollar programme – is that the value of the programme?”

Dr. Ramon Figueroa

“It is about that. Actually it is about one point seven to one point eight million dollars that the Government has been transferring almost fifty-fifty to Loma Luz and K.H.M.H.   What we are saying right now is that with that amount of money we can increase from thirty to probably add another twenty-five or twenty-four additional patients on the list so that we can benefit more patients. Over the long term we need to start looking at how we either generate more financial resources because there is not twenty-three people out there – there is a whole set that need the services.”

Andrea Polanco

“When would the service officially start for this programme?”

Dr. Ramon Figueroa

“As I said, we are in the process of negotiating and we expect this week we get a response from both facilities that we are negotiating with whether they accept the proposal that we submitted to them. Because it is not easy for them to start from day one. Remember there is equipment – old equipment and we are looking at how we can assist them in replacing some of the equipment. And so there are lots of things – and it is more complicated than just saying we will start and then add seven more. We agreed that we will do it in phase manner and this coming week we should have a final response from both entities with an idea of whether they will accept the proposal in terms of sessions costs, on a contract basis and how many additional patients will be able to put on. And from there we go into the committee doing the selection process and we go with each entity and sign contracts and see how we can put in place operational guidelines.”