Dialysis In Belize: What Are Your Options?

Belize has a high prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and, in the past, patients have struggled to access affordable dialysis treatment. In 2018, the Belize government announced it would expand its Hemodialysis Program to cover more than twice the number of patients at end-stage renal failure. This was welcome news for Belizeans, as previously, the high cost of dialysis had been prohibitive, and many patients had lost their lives as a result.

Belize's dialysis treatment is costly and scarce

The financial burden of dialysis in Belize is significant, with patients requiring up to three treatments per week to survive. The cost per session can range from $200 to $650, and while prices have dropped over time due to competition, the treatment remains unaffordable for many. The high cost has led to patients losing their lives as they cannot access the necessary sessions. This issue is exacerbated by the lack of transparency around the government's dialysis assistance program, making it difficult for patients to access financial support.

In neighbouring countries such as Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras, dialysis treatment is either provided for free or at a significantly reduced cost, regardless of the patient's ability to pay. This has prompted calls for similar measures in Belize, with some advocating for dialysis to be recognised as a human right.

The Belize government has taken some steps to address the issue, such as expanding the Hemodialysis Program to cover more patients and contracting various hospitals and centres to provide two sessions per week per patient. However, there are still concerns about the high costs and limited access, with the Ministry of Health spending $2 million to subsidise treatment for only 30 patients.

The scarcity and cost of dialysis treatment in Belize have had devastating consequences, with patients dying due to their inability to access timely and affordable sessions. The situation has highlighted the urgent need for affordable and accessible dialysis treatment in the country.

Belize's Ministry of Health is subsidising dialysis treatment for 30 patients

Belize has a high prevalence of chronic kidney disease, with diabetes and hypertension being the most common causes. For those with end-stage renal failure, dialysis is a costly and scarce treatment option. There are likely fewer than 40 working dialysis machines in the country, with the majority located in the north. As a result, many patients had to travel long distances to receive treatment. However, in 2017, a new dialysis centre opened in Belize City, improving accessibility for patients.

The cost of dialysis treatment in Belize is often prohibitive, and many patients struggle to afford the necessary sessions. In recognition of this issue, Belize's Ministry of Health (MOH) announced in 2018 that they were spending $2 million to subsidise dialysis treatment for 30 patients. The Ministry was in discussions with a third party that was willing to provide dialysis treatment at a significantly lower cost, which would allow more patients to be treated. The unnamed provider offered dialysis treatments at $220 per session, compared to $600 charged by Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) and $300 charged by La Loma Luz in the Cayo District.

The Minister of Health, Honourable Pablo Marin, acknowledged that there were patients who could not afford treatment and were only able to receive one session per week when they required three. He stated that if the MOH could secure the lower rate of $220 per session, they would be able to assist a total of 60 patients. However, Marin did not explain the criteria for determining which patients would receive government coverage.

In April 2021, the Ministry of Health and Wellness signed contracts with four service providers, including La Loma Luz Adventist Hospital and Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, to extend its hemodialysis program for patients with end-stage renal failure. The contracts provided coverage to 96 patients countrywide, with each service provider offering two hemodialysis sessions and laboratory testing weekly per patient. The Government of Belize invested $1,565,300 for these contracts, valid until September 14, 2021.

Belize has a high prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease

The high prevalence of CKD in Belize is influenced by several risk factors, including older age, female sex, Mestizo/Hispanic ethnicity, diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and obesity. In particular, the Mestizo/Hispanic ethnic group has a higher prevalence of CKD compared to other ethnic groups in the country. Additionally, residents of the northern districts of Orange Walk and Corozal have a higher prevalence of CKD than those in other regions.

The high burden of CKD in Belize has significant implications for the country's healthcare system and highlights the need for improved access to dialysis treatment. The cost of dialysis poses a significant challenge, with many Belizeans struggling to afford the frequent treatments required to manage their condition.

To address the high prevalence of CKD and the associated challenges, Belize needs to implement comprehensive CKD surveillance programs and case management systems. Targeting high-risk populations, including those with identified risk factors, is crucial for early detection and prevention of CKD progression. Improving the healthcare infrastructure for renal replacement therapies and increasing access to affordable dialysis treatments are also essential steps to ameliorate the burden of CKD and dialysis in Belize.

Belizeans are questioning the limited access to dialysis treatment

Dialysis treatment in Belize can cost up to $600 per session, with some patients requiring three sessions per week. This means that even with the government subsidy, many patients are unable to afford the treatment they need to survive. Belizean journalist, writer, and historian Glenn Tillett has spoken out about the issue, sharing his own experience as a kidney patient. He has survived for 16 months with the help of friends and family, but knows of others who have died because they could not access dialysis due to the cost.

Tillett and others have questioned why Belize has not followed the example of neighbouring countries like Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras, where dialysis treatment is provided at an affordable rate, regardless of the patient's ability to pay. They argue that a collectivist approach, such as a National Health Insurance scheme, would ensure equal access to healthcare for all.

The situation is particularly dire given the high prevalence of chronic kidney disease in Belize, driven by lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. With limited access to dialysis, many Belizeans with kidney failure face a life-threatening situation. While some hospitals and private centres offer dialysis treatment, the prices are often too high, and the waitlists too long.

The opening of a new dialysis centre in Belize City in 2017 offered some relief, with patients no longer having to travel long distances for treatment. The centre aims to provide accessible and affordable treatment, with prices as low as $200 per session. However, even with the reduced price, dialysis remains out of reach for many Belizeans.

Belize's neighbouring countries provide affordable dialysis treatment

Belize is a small country on the Caribbean coast of Central America, with a population of just 361,000 (as of 2015). It is bounded by Mexico to the north and west, and by Guatemala to the south and west, with Honduras a little further afield sharing maritime borders with Belize.

For years, Belizeans have been paying a steep price for dialysis treatment, with some losing their lives due to the prohibitive expense. Belize's Ministry of Health (MOH) has been subsidizing these life-sustaining expenses, but their funds only cover a limited number of patients. Belizeans are questioning why access to such a vital health service is so restricted.

Dialysis treatment is needed when kidneys stop functioning properly and cannot remove waste from the body. This can be caused by health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, urinary tract issues, and genetic diseases. Unfortunately, the cost of dialysis in Belize is often too high for many patients, and the waitlists are too long. As a result, some patients have had to travel long distances to receive treatment, adding to the financial burden and inconvenience of their situation.

Belize's neighboring countries, Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras, offer more affordable dialysis treatment. Belizeans have expressed frustration at their country's failure to adopt similar practices, as nearby countries provide dialysis treatment regardless of patients' ability to pay. This has led to tragic consequences, with some Belizeans dying because they cannot afford the necessary dialysis sessions.

The situation has sparked discussions about the role of the government in ensuring equal access to healthcare. Some have suggested that a collectivist approach, such as a National Health Insurance scheme, would be a step towards guaranteeing that all citizens have equal access to healthcare, regardless of their economic status.

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