Dialysis and transplant patients protested in front of KCUS, demanding action from authorities

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The Association of Dialysis and Transplanted Patients of the Federation of BiH organized protests today in front of the University Clinical Center Sarajevo, in an attempt to secure their rights.

The Association demands an urgent thematic session of the FBiH Government within 24 hours to discuss the issue of dialysis and transplantation in FBiH.

Today, they stated that they are demanding the FBiH Government to order KCUS to resume organ transplantation activities, and UKC Tuzla to increase the number of transplants.

They are requesting that possibilities for organ explantation and transplantation be explored with the director of the Clinical Center in Mostar.

"The FBiH Government, the FBiH Ministry of Health, and the directors of clinical centers by name are responsible for implementing this demand. The deadline for this is 60 days," the demands state.

Furthermore, they are requesting the directors/managers of clinical centers, as well as directors of other hospitals where transplant-explant coordinators have been appointed, to order them to diligently and seriously perform their duties. They also demand improved conditions in hemodialysis units and the replacement of outdated equipment in all dialysis centers in FBiH.

Dialysis and transplant patients are demanding that the FBiH Government and the Federal Ministry of Health increase the quantity of medications from the essential list (Renvela; Zemplar) for dialysis patients, and include the drug MIMPARA on the essential list.

"We demand that immunosuppressive therapy for transplanted patients, which has proven to be appropriate based on previous findings, not be changed during public procurement. If necessary, amend the Public Procurement Law when it comes to immunosuppressive therapy," the demands state.

With banners today, dialysis and transplant patients also pointed to the very poor attitude of the authorities and clinical centers towards them.