Belize extends contract of Hemodialysis program

Ministry of Health & Wellness signed a contract with four service providers for the extension of the hemodialysis program

15th of April 2021

Belize extends contract of Hemodialysis services

Belize: On April 12, 2021, the Ministry of Health & Wellness signed a contract with four service providers for the extension of the hemodialysis program for the patients with end-stage of renal failure.

Hon. Michel Chebat, Minister of Health & Wellness, and Dr Deysi Mendez, CEO of the Ministry, signed contracts with La Loma Luz Adventist Hospital, Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, Dialysis Del Caribe, and Ramona Linda Dialysis Clinic. The contracts will provide coverage to 96 patients countrywide, with each service provider offering two hemodialysis sessions in addition to laboratory testing weekly per patient.

The Ministry was able to renegotiate rates with the service providers, which resulted in the expansion of the program and nine patients on the waiting list. The Government of Belize has invested $1,565,300 for the contracts, valid until September 14, 2021.

What is Hemodialysis?

For better information regarding Hemodialysis, dialysis is the first step to know about the whole procedure. Dialysis is needed when kidneys stop functioning properly and cannot remove waste from the body, commonly caused by diabetes and high blood pressure. The number of individuals with end-stage renal failure has been increasing continuously. One of the Ministry’s responses is to expand the dialysis coverage to patients who are struggling to meet the high cost of hemodialysis treatment.

Hemodialysis is a method where a dialysis machine and a special filter known as an artificial kidney, or a dialyzer, are utilized to clean the blood. To get the body’s blood into the dialyzer, the doctor requires to make an access, or entrance, into the respective blood vessels. This is done with minor surgery, or usually from the arm.

Functions of Hemodialysis

Hemodialysis is a method to purify wastes and water from your blood, as the kidneys function for filtration when they function properly or healthy. Hemodialysis helps to regulate blood pressure and balance vital minerals, such as sodium, and calcium potassium, in the blood system.