New Hemodialysis Machines Benefits Patients in Eastern Cuba

Havana, Dec 5 (ACN) The purchase of five new hemodialysis machines, which work as artificial kidneys, will considerably help Nephrology services for patients treated for kidney failure at the Ernesto Guevara de la Serna General Hospital in eastern Las Tunas province.

The new and modern artificial kidneys provide hemodialysis patients faster treatment, meaning they spent short time attached to the machine, said Norkis Sanchez from the provincial health office.

Hemodialysis is a life-saving treatment for kidney failure that removes waste and extra fluids from the blood and regulates blood pressure.

The hemodialysis treatment in Las Tunas includes over 60 patients and translates into a high cost for the local public health system; the constant use of the machines causes wear and tear of the equipment.

The service is one of the Cuban medical areas hard hit by the US economic blockade which prohibits the island from acquiring any equipment with 10 percent or more US components. The service is complex since the person needing hemodialysis uses it in a sustained manner during long periods of time due to the treatment of the kidney condition.