On Wednesday, January 26, Dr. Michael Pitts, Director of Health Services, Dr. Francis Gary Longsworth, C.E.O. of Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, and Health Economist Michelle Vanzie held a private briefing with the media to discuss the national haemodialysis program that is being executed in conjunction with the World Organization for Renal Therapies (WORTH). A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between WORTH, the Ministry of Health, Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital and La Loma Luz Adventist Hospital on June 3, 2010 for the establishment of quality dialysis treatment in Belize’s public health system.
Since then a haemodialysis unit has been implemented at both KHMH and La Loma Luz. WORTH provided four dialysis machines at both units and space for more in the future. They also provided equipment for water purification and dialysis cartridges. 15 nurses were selected to take special training for the provision of dialysis services and those nurses have successfully completed that program all with scores of higher than 80% in their final theory assessment. The program has a non resident Nephrologist who conducts sessions from the United States via the telephone or internet. Now that all the pieces are in place, patients have begun to transfer from Belize Healthcare Partners to KHMH.
Dr. Longsworth said that there are currently 11 patients accessing the dialysis ‘program’ at KHMH. He stressed the word program because it entails more than the transfusion process that takes place at Healthcare partners. In addition to that service, the program features lab access and proper pharmaceuticals, a nutritionist and a social worker. The services have not started at Loma Luz as yet. The Ministry has made an effort to roll out the program carefully to build confidence in the system. The fifteen nurses are currently stationed at KHMH and all patients will be transferred to KHMH first. KHMH is more equipped to deal with any complication that could possibly arise. The Ministry also believed that the nurses needed time to get comfortable actually administering the services. They have done an excellent job thus far and because of that the program will officially be opened on Friday, February 4.
At that time, Loma Luz will begin to provide the services as well. 32 patients will receive treatment under the program- 16 in KHMH and 16 at Loma Luz. KHMH will provide service to the large northern and central regions, while the unit at the Loma Luz will service the western and southern regions. The nurses will be divided into two teams. Though the program will be opened officially next week, Dr. Longsworth believes it could take up to another eight weeks before the 32 patients are in the program.
Government’s budget for end stage renal failure is $1.8 million. In its previous partnership with the private company that was enough to provide dialysis sessions for only 26 patients. That did not include pharmaceuticals, lab work, catheters, dietitians or any of the important elements in an effective dialysis program. That translates to about $70,000 a year per patient for inadequate service. That same $1.8 million will be used to provide complete services to the 26 patients from Healthcare partners plus six more. The six will be selected by a selection committee made up of representatives from various social partners- no representatives from management of health services. That Patients Selection Committee was scheduled to have its first meeting on Wednesday, January 26. Though the service is free to Belizeans, patients will be asked to contribute between $15 and $80 per session. The money will be used to expand the program in the future. Vanzie said that money may be able to provide the service for three to six additional patients in need. Basic dialysis service in the private sector costs over $500 per session.Â
    Â
The Ministry of Health views its partnership with WORTH as a major step toward the establishment of quality haemodialysis services that is affordable and accessible.
