Tamader Al-Rehaili Okaz/Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — Patients who suffer from kidney failure spend up to 15 hours a week receiving dialysis, which is the most common method of treatment used by doctors to treat advanced kidney failure. Patients receive the treatment at a dialysis center where their blood is pumped through a machine. A filter removes harmful toxins, extra salts and other fluids. Najat is a divorcee who has received dialysis for the past 11 years. She receives SR850 a month from social insurance and a similar amount from the Ministry of Social Affairs, money she says is not enough. “The money I receive is barely enough to pay rent, living expenses for me and my two children and taxi fares to go to the dialysis center, which is four times a week. I have to use a wheelchair to get around,” she said. Aisha is also a divorcee who suffers from kidney failure. She accused her ex-husband of stealing social insurance money meant for her handicapped son. “I take care of my daughter and handicapped son. I receive SR500 a month from social insurance while my husband, who is listed as the guardian of my son, receives SR800 a month from social insurance, which he keeps for himself. This money should be given to me so I can spend it on my son,” she said. Patients with kidney failure say they largely rely on government handouts to get by as most employers are unwilling to hire them. Abdullah has been receiving dialysis for three years. He takes care of his mother but has been unable to find a job because employers view his condition as a liability. “We are being discriminated against. The Ministry of Labor should force employers both in the private and public sectors to hire patients who suffer from kidney failure,” he said. The Kingdom has 124 dialysis centers and kidney failure patients represent 78 percent of all patients receiving treatment at Ministry of Health hospitals. The number of kidney transplant operations performed from living kidney donors were 4,862 while 2,329 operations were performed from brain-dead donors. There are currently 7,000 patients awaiting a kidney transplant from 13,356 patients who are on dialysis. The average waiting period of two to three years is similar to that in the US and a number of European countries.
