Dialysis machines at port coming soon for Renal Centres

HEALTH Minister John Rahael yesterday gave the assurance that steps are being taken for the Renal Care Centre of Trinidad and Tobago to receive dialysis equipment reportedly held up for the past 16 months at local ports. On Saturday, the Centre’s chairperson Janie Kimcaid, expressed concern about the equipment’s delay (which was donated from organisations in the US) and the negative impact on effective dispensation of proper health care of kidney patients. Rahael said certain Customs procedures were not fulfilled and the delay was “not necessarily” the fault of either the Government or Health Ministry. The Minister said since he personally intervened, the situation has “advanced substantially” and he was optimistic the centre would receive the dialysis equipment soon.

In his 2004/2005 Budget presentation at the House of Representatives last Friday, Prime Minister Patrick Manning said before January 1, Government will establish two renal dialysis treatment centres (in North and South Trinidad) each providing treatment for 200 persons. In a subsequent Newsday interview, Rahael said Government recently approved the regulations for the Human Tissue Transplant Act which clears the way for transplants and the harvesting of organs from cadavers. Rahael also disclosed that the Ministry will bring in a consultant to advise  on establishing the necessary infrastructure so the renal surgery programme is done properly and to world standards.