MPs advocate for special fund for kidney treatments

DODOMA: MEMBERS of Parliament have called for the establishment of a dedicated fund to support kidney treatment in the country, highlighting the urgent need to address the high costs and accessibility issues faced by patients requiring dialysis and kidney transplants.

During the Questions and Answers session on Tuesday, MPs stressed that a special fund would ease the financial burden on patients and their families, ensuring timely and equitable access to life-saving treatments.

They argued that such fund would also alleviate pressure on the healthcare system by providing resources specifically allocated for kidney care.

The majority of legislators called on the government to set up a special fund to support kidney patients and those with related diseases, noting that the high cost of treatment keeps off majority of the patients from accessing services.

They also wanted the government to lower the cost of obtaining dialysis services in the public hospitals from the current 300,000/- per day to at least 50,000/- so that poor patients can also be able to access services.

“Currently, kidney patients spend around 1m/- every week for dialysis services with most of the people requiring these services languishing in poverty and cannot afford such high treatment costs,’’ noted Special Seats MP, Tusker Mbogo (CCM).

Another Special Seats legislator, Kunti Majala (CHADEMA), insisted that access to Kidney treatment was difficult due to the high costs involved and that this has greatly increased the likelihood of death from complications related to kidney problems.\

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“There is a need for the government to reduce the cost for dialysis services to rescue the country’s workforce,’’ she stated.

Ms Cecilia Paresso (Special Seats-CHADEMA) wondered why the cost of dialysis services in private hospitals was lower than the cost in public hospitals, calling for an immediate intervention from authorities in order to save lives of people.

Responding to MPs queries, deputy minister for Health, Dr Godwin Mollel said that the government had received advice from legislators, pledging that the government will next week come up with the way forward regarding the matter.

However, the deputy minister underscored the need for all Tanzanians to subscribe to the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) so as to have assurance of medical services in an event they become sick.