Bonasika residents living with kidney disease to get dialysis vouchers – Pres Ali

During this week, officials from the Health Ministry will visit Bonasika Creek, Essequibo River to attend to those persons living with kidney disease and in need of treatment.
This exercise follows direct instructions from President Dr Irfaan Ali who recently engaged residents of the community.
The medical team which will be led by the area’s Regional Health Officer is slated for Wednesday and Thursday.
The initiative will aid in the disbursement of the government’s $600,000 cash vouchers for hemodialysis patients who need assistance covering the cost of their medical care.

Additionally, the resident will also benefit from vouchers for cervical cancer screening and spectacles for persons with various sight complications.
Currently, dialysis patients pay between $12-15,000 per session and to remain healthy, they need at least three sessions per week. In addition, to those three sessions, they are required to purchase medication, eat a balanced diet as well, and do a series of blood tests often.
Patients have been long lamenting the financial constraints they are placed in. Some of the patients are also forced to go to dialysis two times instead of three.
In his address to residents, the Guyanese Leader noted that while dialysis is free in the public sector, the government acknowledges that not all Guyanese have access to it, and the private sector is being asked to help in providing the free service.
“We have to make things accessible; we have to make things easier for the people of our country wherever they are, however, they look, and wherever they are from…because we are building One Guyana for all Guyanese. Your government is investing in you and they must deliver it to you,”
In Budget 2022, the Guyana Government announced a $600,000 Grant per annum for dialysis patients, and a total of $180 million was allocated that year through the National Budget 2022 to support 300 persons in need of treatment.
In 2023, the programme was expanded to 350 people following the Budgetary provision of $863 million.
Some 82 persons have received vouchers for 2024 thus far.
This initiative is in keeping with the government’s “pursuit of equity” and ensuring that equitable health care is available to all citizens of Guyana.
Persons requiring dialysis support can contact the Ministry’s Medical Treatment Department at (225-0113) for more information on how they can receive financial assistance.