ADDIS ABABA (The Ethiopian Herald) – Ethiopian Kidney Failure Dialysis Charity Organization held discussions with higher officials and relevant stakeholders on ways it can provide free dialysis for patients.
Taking the growing prevalence rate of kidney disease/kidney failure as well as the shortcomings to cover medical expenses into account, the talks aimed at creating permanent solution for kidney patients. On the occasion, Solomon Assefa, General Manager of the Ethiopian Kidney Failure Dialysis Charity Organization, highlighted on how they are planning to come up with lasting solution in collaboration with the relevant stakeholders, and provide free dialysis for all patients in the coming Ethiopian New Year.
In regards with creating a permanent stream of revenue/funds to the cause, various artists will be joining force with the organization. In collaboration with Ethio telecom, artists are preparing to raise funds through the revenue collected from music that is used in caller ring-back tone, said Amanuel Yilma, a music composer and author.
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He added that a yearly Kidney Patients Memorial Day is also among the plan that will be underway soon. The day is expected to be celebrated as a platform to raise awareness, raise funds and hold (music) concerts. Mentioning that the government along with the media has become active participants of voluntary activities, Chairperson of the Organization’s Board, Samuel Yirga called on the public to play its role in every possible way.
Artist, film-director and the Organization’s Board member Anteneh Haile, for his part noted that the main objective of the event is to make the relevant stakeholders take part in mobilizing their employees so that kidney patients can get free dialysis in all hospitals. As to him, many African countries provide free dialysis to kidney patients. “Taking those countries as an example, Ethiopia should follow their steps,” Anteneh said.
Apart from the effort put to meet the objective, the program was also designed as a sensitizing platform for societies to prevent the disease. Solomon said, “Free kidney dialysis is being given at Zewditu Memorial and Menelik II Hospitals. Currently, the Ethiopian Kidney Failure Dialysis Charity Organization along with BGI Ethiopia, insurance companies and banks, support about 93 people at a cost of about seven hundred thousand per month.
Managers of various organizations, Ethiopian celebrities, officials of Addis Ababa Health Bureau and other concerned bodies participated at the discussion. Ethiopian Kidney Failure Dialysis Charity Organization was established eight years ago and has so far provided support for about 413 people with kidney failure.
Source: Ethiopian Press Agency