Health

Kidney Research and Treatment center to start operations by July

May 17, 2019 7:38 am

The state of the art National Kidney Research and Treatment center is expected to start operations in Nadera, Nasinu within two months.

Minister for Health Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete revealed this in parliament when questioned on whether the Ministry was considering other options to further reduce the cost of dialysis for kidney patients which is currently being subsidized.

“We hope by July our Nadera center will be fully functional, we will be running there and also we have identified a place in Nadi which will begin hopefully by the end of the year

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Dr Waqainabete says the annual dialysis cost has been reduced by 70%.

He says dialysis now costs as little as $75 per session in facilities affiliated with the Health Ministry.

The Minister says for the first time kidney dialysis has been opened within the intensive care units for those who may need interim dialysis.

He adds those suffering from chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal failure need permanent dialysis.

Studies have shown that 300 to 500 Fijians go through some form of kidney failure annually.