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Published on September 6, 2007

Dr Vassant Sumethkul, from the Faculty of Medicine at Ramathibodi Hospital, said only 250 chronic kidney cases a year - out of 18,000 cases - could access treatment.

And only 25 hospitals in the country were equipped to perform kidney transplants. "This is simply not enough," he said.

Chronic kidney disease is caused by a major function failure and can be the result of physical injury or a disease that damages the kidneys.

An organ transplant is the best way to treat patients with end-stage renal disease.

"Ramathibodi Hospital needs more donated kidneys for transplants and more than 500 patients a year are waiting for donations so they can have a new life," he said.

Another problem was the cost of the treatment.

Vassant urged the National Health Security Office (NSHO) to increase the budget for health care for kidney patients, who need Bt150,000 to Bt200,000 for a transplant.

During the last 21 years Thai hospitals had only performed kidney transplants on 1,000 people, he said, urging members of public to donate kidneys to organ donation centres.

Ramathibodi Hospital will discuss treatment solutions at a conference next month and the results submitted to the government.

Meanwhile, Dr Prateep Dhanakicharoen, deputy secretary-general of the National Health Security Office, said the agency would propose a new health policy for the government to cover "all treatment" for chronic kidney disease patients. But it would need Bt2-3 billion from the national budget.

"If the proposal is accepted, kidney patients will only have to pay Bt3,000 a month instead of Bt10,000 - Bt20,000," he said.

Pongphon Sarnsamak

 The Nation