The Bauchi State House of Assembly has approved a 50 percent discount for Kidney patients undergoing dialysis therapy in the Specialists Hospital Bauchi.
The move by the House followed a review of the current rates for dialysis in the state in relation to the increasing number of Kidney patients needing dialysis and the unfavourable economic condition prevalent in the country which makes access to dialysis service a luxury for most poor patients culminating in their untimely premature death.
Hon Yusuf Muhammad Bako, Pali Constituency, who moved the motion during the plenary of the Assembly on Tuesday presided over by the Speaker of the House Hon Abubakar Sulaiman.
He said there is a need to establish more dialysis centres in two senatorial zones in the state to further make the treatment more accessible to the citizens of the state.
“Dialysis treatment is very expensive and patients are increasing every day which is attributed to the rising incidents of hypertension and diabetes among people.
“Government should establish two additional dialysis centres in the north and central senatorial districts to increase access to services and alleviate the suffering of the people,” he said.
He said that considering the current economic hardship, the government should make dialysis treatment free for Kidney patients in the state.
WikkiTimes reports that making dialysis treatment-free sparks a lot of disagreement among lawmakers with Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon Danlami Kawule insisting that the treatment should not be made free to citizens.
“Making centres available rather than free will bring easy and subsidy to people,” the Deputy Speaker said.
However, the House vetoed the establishment of additional dialysis centres and further subsidized the price by 50 percent.
Hemodialysis, the most common type of dialysis which is carried on patients recommended for the therapy thrice a week, goes for between N20,000 to N40,000 at government hospitals in Bauchi State.
However, at the moment, only Abubakar Tafawabalewa University Teaching Hospital and Bauchi State Specialists Hospital render dialysis service to Kidney patients in Bauchi State.
