Non-profit body helps kidney patients

Anon-profit organisation has come to the aid of kidney disease sufferers in the Northern Division by paying for injections.

Northern Charity Alliance (NCA) gave $2400 for injections for 20 patients at the Northern Dialysis Centre in Labasa early this month. The centre built near Labasa Hospital in 2015 provides Erythropoetin (EPO) injections, which dialysis patients purchase at the cost of $28. Northern Dialysis Centre Administrator Hazeem Hussein thanked NCA on behalf of the Labasa Hospital Board of Visitors, saying these patients would not need to worry about paying for injections for at least three months.

“One dialysis patient spends $150 for one session and if they qualify for Government subsidies then they pay $75 and apart from this they get injections,” Mr Hussein said.

“Some need injections weekly while others on a fortnightly basis. What we found out is that some patients cannot afford to pay for injections and, hence, miss out.” “We are very thankful to NCA for providing timely assistance especially during this time of the year where parents have to fork out money to buy educational needs for their children,” he said.

“At least now some patients can save money and help their children go back to school and while others can be in a position to get injections for free. “We have patients from as far as Taveuni and even provide treatment to people from Viti Levu on holiday in Labasa.” Meanwhile, Northern Charity Alliance President Arunesh Vishwa said there was potential to transform the lives of the vulnerable, underprivileged, disadvantaged communities and people. “Based on one of our New Year’s focus, which is health, the board members decided to take up the initiative to help dialysis patients in North,” Mr Vishwa said. “We are indeed very happy to work with the Northern Dialysis Centre in providing this timely assistance for the patients. “NCA is carrying out fundraising drive to collect funds and direct it to focused areas such as poverty alleviation, education, health and environment.

“We are a non-profitable organisation and carrying out numerous projects to benefit the people in the North.”