| Donating To The Kidney Cause |
| Tue, May 25, 2010 |
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And while Carcamo is suffering, so are others who are on the waiting list for government sponsored dialysis at Belize healthcare partners. The Government is subsidizing dialysis services for 25 patients at Belize Health Care Partners at an annual cost of $1.8 million dollars. But there are many more beyond that 25 and that's why Cabinet is pursuing the agreement with the World Organization of Renal Therapies (WORTH). An MOU has been signed and the effort was bolstered today with BZ $50,000 dollar cheque from the Belize Social Security Board to be used for the renovation of the designated site of a Haemodialysis Unit at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. Chief Executive Officer Mrs. Merlene Bailey-Martinez said SSB is a major stakeholder in this public health initiative.
Mrs. Merlene Bailey-Martinez, CEO SSB
"This is not only partnership with the Ministry of Health with the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, but also as a complement to the private sector initiative. We think that critical services, like health services have to be in conjunction with the public sector providing the social safety net and the private sector which will in term relieve the public sector resources. It is something that should be seen in tandem or as a compliment to the private sector initiative in providing this level of service. Social Security Board Chairman Ms. Young has had a passion for making this service more accessible for the last year and a half we have been trying to work this out so we could partner with you. For us this is the culmination of something that we have close to our hearts. I was reminded a little while ago that dialysis service is really as a last resort. We would prefer our population to be pro-active in staying healthy. "
No timeline is currently set for the completion of the unit. |
