The Minister of Health inaugurates the dialysis unit at Guasmo Sur Hospital – Ministry of Public Health

Guayaquil April 8, 2022.

On the morning of April 8, 2022, the Minister of Health, Ximena Garzón, inaugurated the Comprehensive Dialysis Unit at Guasmo Sur General Hospital (HGGS). The opening of this service will cover the request of patients with renal failure who require hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis treatment.

In Ecuador, 731 people out of every million people suffer from kidney failure in its various stages. In this context, it is estimated that about 14,000 people require renal replacement therapy (RRT).

To make this unit a reality, which is part of the National Health Revitalization Strategy (RAS) and carried out within the framework of World Health Day activities, US dollars were invested. 1,894,452.64 in infrastructure and equipment.

Minister Garzon stressed that 8,849 dialysis sessions will be performed annually in this unit, and each will cost between 1,400 and 1,500 dollars per month, a value that the state assumes at a total of about 13.2 million.

“We are dealing with one of the most disabling diseases in our country. Every month, 200 Ecuadoreans develop kidney failure due to various factors. Comprehensive renal treatment units, such as those in this hospital, allow us to provide quality care to all citizens,” Garzon said. “.

He indicated that he will continue to expand the dialysis units, so that patients receive a high-quality and free service. In the same way, he pointed out that the Ministry of Public Health is one of the parties that paid more than others to registrars who provide their services externally. However, it is expected that most of the units owned by this state portfolio will be restarted to reduce the number of referrals.

The HGGS Comprehensive Dialysis Unit has 14 chairs. Of them, two will provide the service in isolation to patients who need it. In addition, it has 14 dialysis machines with built-in monitors. It is worth noting that peritoneal dialysis equipment is in the process of being acquired. However, the Health House already has the supplies needed for this treatment.

The multidisciplinary MSP team that will accompany and provide professional support in this new field consists of three nephrologists, 10 certified dialysis nurses, a clinical psychologist, a pharmaceutical chemist, a dietitian and a social worker.

During the opening, one of the patients benefiting from this service expressed his gratitude to the national government and the MSP authority to implement this dialysis unit.

To access this service, patients are first evaluated by a nephrologist, who prescribes dialysis treatment. Coverage will be provided to patients with kidney failure who are referred or referred from other care homes.

Attention will be from Monday to Saturday in three shifts, from 07:00 to 11:00, from 12:00 to 16:00 and from 17:00 to 21:00.

Guasmo Sur Hospital focuses on promoting research, promotion and awareness of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). For this reason, in addition to providing hemodialysis services, it provides specialized information in order to create a preventive culture among the population and to influence a decrease in the number of patients in the future.

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