Dialysis patients in complete uncertainty: 'I've been on the list for four years, no one has ever called me'

(Patria) - While politics in Bosnia and Herzegovina deals with itself, dialysis patients live in complete uncertainty. Their lives are endangered daily, and there is no progress in treatment. The Association of Dialysis and Transplant Patients of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina announces protests, warning of excessively long waiting lists and a drastically small number of transplants.

Among the 162 patients waiting for a kidney transplant in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina is Agan Đedović, a dialysis patient for four years.

– No one has ever called me regarding this matter. I made an effort and found a relative who could be my donor, however, no one responds to me even though I sent the documentation, nor has anyone contacted the potential donor to check compatibility – Đedović emphasized.

Members of the Association are outraged by the poor conditions in dialysis centers and the almost complete absence of transplants. Association President Tomislav Žuljević particularly highlighted the difficult situation of liver patients.

– The last liver transplant was performed a year and a half ago. The liver has no substitute except cadaveric transplantation, and those who have a living donor are rare. They, unfortunately, have to go abroad – said Žuljević.

Unlike the Federation, the situation in the Republic of Srpska is somewhat better. Patients are sent for transplants to Belarus, France, Italy, and Turkey, and the costs of around 67,000 dollars are covered by the Health Insurance Fund of the Republic of Srpska.

– In the previous four years, about 45 transplants were performed, and about ten people have been processed and are waiting for a call. Our Fund covers everything, whether it is a cadaveric or related transplant – said Aleksandar Radun from the Association of Dialysis and Transplant Kidney Patients of the Republic of Srpska.

Nevertheless, many patients never receive a call. The Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina states that awareness of the importance of organ donation is still insufficiently developed and that transplant medicine relies on the humanity of individuals.

– I understand the patients' concern and agree that transplantation, especially cadaveric, needs to be strengthened. What we need most is raising citizens' awareness regarding organ donation and family understanding, because ultimately, the family decides on donation – stated Jurica Arapović, Assistant Minister of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Bosnia and Herzegovina's entry into Eurotransplant would be a major step forward. This network distributes around seven thousand donor organs annually, which would significantly increase the chances of saving the lives of the most vulnerable patients, BHRT reports.