The Ministry of Health in Cabo Verde has announced plans to conduct over a dozen kidney transplants in the coming months. According to Minister of Health, Lúcio Fernandes, six transplants are scheduled to take place in November at the Hospital Agostinho Neto in Praia, and another six in December at the Hospital Baptista de Sousa in São Vicente. This move is part of the country's efforts to gradually become autonomous in conducting these medical interventions.
The transplants will be carried out with the support of a Portuguese medical team, but the ultimate goal is for Cabo Verde to acquire the necessary technical skills to perform these procedures independently. Minister Fernandes emphasized the importance of prevention in reducing the number of patients with kidney disease, improving their quality of life, and decreasing the financial burden on the country.
The Minister of Health highlighted the significant annual expenditure on dialysis consumables, which amounts to over 300,000 contos. He stressed that if patients with chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes are properly managed, they are less likely to develop kidney failure. To address this, the government has eliminated hospital service fees in public hospitals.
Cabo Verde has made progress in conducting kidney transplants, with a total of seven transplants performed between January and September of this year. The first transplant took place on March 24 at the Hospital Agostinho Neto in Praia, followed by three transplants on June 15 and another three on June 18, also in Praia.
The Hospital Baptista de Sousa in São Vicente will play a significant role in the upcoming transplants, with six procedures scheduled for December. This is part of the government's plan to decentralize healthcare services and improve access to specialized medical care in different regions of the country.
Minister Fernandes expressed his optimism about the country's ability to become self-sufficient in conducting kidney transplants. He emphasized that this goal will be achieved through a gradual process of capacity building and technical skills acquisition.
The upcoming transplants are a significant step towards strengthening Cabo Verde's healthcare system, particularly in the area of nephrology. The government's efforts to prioritize prevention, improve healthcare infrastructure, and enhance technical capabilities are expected to have a positive impact on the lives of patients with kidney disease.
Key points
- Cabo Verde to conduct over a dozen kidney transplants in November and December.
- The country aims to become autonomous in conducting kidney transplants with the support of a Portuguese medical team.
- The Ministry of Health emphasizes the importance of prevention in reducing kidney disease cases.
