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Published on October 31, 2007

He said the Cabinet had approved two plans to treat patients with chronic kidney disease.

The first plan will provide free treatment for patients who need a kidney transplant. The plan also includes treatment by Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD).

Sanguan expected the plan to start next year.

The second plan is for patients already registered with the NHSO and receiving dialysis to pay only a third of the treatment cost. This plan will begin early in 2009 but will not cover new cases.

Dr Prateep Dhanakicharoen, deputy secretary-general of NHSO, said the plan would run for 10 years. It will have a Bt20-billion budget to treat patients with chronic kidney disease.

NHSO expected to spend Bt500 million to Bt1 billion for the first year of the project, covering 60,000 patients. At present there are 16,000 patients with chronic kidney disease across the country and they would normally expect to pay between Bt150,000 and Bt200,000 for a kidney transplant.

Patients receiving dialysis pay Bt1,000 to Bt3,000 for treatment which they need at least 2 times a week.

Prateep said the treatment by CAPD was the best way to save on treatment costs and was as effective as dialysis.

The NHSO expects 4,000 patients with chronic kidney disease to receive treatment under the plan next year.

Pongphon Sarnsamak

 The Nation