Bhutan Kidney Foundation has been a lifeline for kidney patients across the country. Since its establishment in 2012, the foundation has supported more than 900 patients. Around 430 patients are registered with the foundation, as it marks its 13th foundation day, yesterday.
28-year-old Jigme Singye had to leave his job in Kuwait when his kidneys failed. For the past three years, he has been undergoing dialysis twice a week. Financial support from the Bhutan Kidney Foundation shelter in Wangdue Phodrang has helped him manage the burden.
“When you are sick and do not have a strong support system financially, the foundation helps immensely.”
He is not alone. 31-year-old Kinley Zangmo donated her kidney to her father. The foundation guided them through the process, from understanding compatible blood types to finding a donor.
“If the foundation wasn’t there, we would have struggled a lot. Firstly, they taught us which blood type can donate kidney and also helped in finding donor. I gave my kidney in 2014 because it was a duty as a child.”
Jigme, a kidney recipient said, “I did not hear about such disease and also did not know about it. Only after being diagnosed, I was able to understand because of the foundation.”
Other patients, like Tobgay, whose brother donated a kidney, also acknowledge the foundation’s help.
“Coming from a humble background and after losing my job, the foundation helped financially, even covering taxi fares, and made the entire process easier.”
Today, the government sent patients to India, bearing all the medical and travel expenses. It costs more than million ngultrum for each kidney patient. Recognizing the challenges faced by kidney patients, Health Minister Tandin Wangchuk shared plans to make kidney transplants available in Bhutan, reducing dependence on hospitals abroad.
“Therefore, we have done kidney transplants with the Rajavithi Hospital in Thailand. We did it last time for the second time and we will do it again in the coming month in the country. From my side, with public support, we want to make this treatment available here at home without having to invite foreigners. ”
Seven hospitals offer dialysis service in the country. According to the health minister, the ministry is training health officials to provide Peritoneal dialysis. It is a home-based dialysis treatment. The service has not been provided so far due to risk of infection.
The most common cause of kidney failure is diabetes and high blood pressure. With growing support and new treatment on the horizon, the foundation continues to give hope and strength to patients and their families.
Singye Dema
Edited by Tandin Phuntsho
