Kellana provides lifeline to kidney patients

More than 1,130 people living with kidney diseases have been treated by the Prince Fahad bin Salman Charity Association for Renal Failure and Patient Care (Kellana) since the support scheme was launched in 2007, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Patients are referred to one of 34 kidney dialysis centers located across the Kingdom. “Critical patients are assessed by the Kellana advisory committee and admitted to the blood dialysis project for transplants and follow-up,” said Prince Abdul Aziz bin Salman, who is also supervisor of Kellana. The prince said the annual cost of a patient’s dialysis was around SR 115,000. This includes medication, periodic testing and emergency medical treatment for conditions that might arise while in dialysis, transplant surgery and anti-rejection medication. Additional costs may be incurred transporting the patient to and from dialysis. The prince said the National Company for Cooperative Insurance covers the cost of treatment. Kellana pays for dialysis for patients who fulfill the conditions of the dialysis program, or are not eligible for free dialysis in government hospitals and cannot afford the cost of treatment. This includes dialysis in centers under charitable organizations such as the Makkah Al-Birr Society and Jeddah Al-Birr Society. A non-Saudi patient can receive treatment from Kellana if he or she carries a valid iqama and requires kidney dialysis after arriving in the Kingdom, or if a sponsor is incapable of covering the cost. From : Arabnews