Suspension of their support : Dialysis patients can't take it anymore

The situation of dialysis patients is alarming. This is what we remember from the appearance of those responsible for the Dialyse-Vie Association of Benin on Capp FM, 99.6 MHz. They were on the show “The Great Debate” hosted by Philibert Abibou on Thursday 21 avril 2022. The head of state is called for help.

The Beninese state came to the aid of patients suffering from kidney failure who were forced to undergo dialysis to stay alive. But since January 2019 where the government suspended the payment of costs linked to this operation, the way of the cross of these people has begun. Maryam Kpoton describes a catastrophic situation “It’s really difficult” she says between two sighs before continuing “We were lucky, we already had support. But new patients, especially those who are not permanent agents of the State, it is very complicated to find the 160.000 FCFA per week, just for care without forgetting medication, analyzes and everything else ». Indeed, a dialysis patient cannot evacuate waste by himself, like urine, contained in his body. He needs a catheter to allow him to empty himself in order to regularly renew his blood.. The kit alone costs 80.000 FCFA per session according to the vice-president of the Dialyse-vie Association of Benin while this operation must be repeated twice a week. Failing that, a weekly session is necessary. Since the current government suspended support, it's the one who can save in the rank of people without great means. “There are some who don’t even do two months because they don’t have the means. We see them die, powerless, and we can't do anything about it. It's truly sad ", deplores Maryam Kpoton,  first vice-president of the Dialyse-vie Association of Benin.

Double standards?

For Edmond Amoussou, President of the Dialyse-vie Association of Benin, there are double standards in this matter. If the government has suspended support, it is not applied to everyone. State civil servants always benefit from it. “What’s going on?? Are we not Beninese so that one part is taken care of and the other left behind?? » he wonders.

The government had claimed mismanagement to suspend care for dialysis patients over time. And reforms were announced “Nothing is worth life”. We cannot let people die because of the mismanagement of an individual.. We can continue the audits, punish the guilty and during this time the process continues its course,” points out the president of the Dialyse-vie Association of Benin.

To be heard, the sick knocked on doors. And not the least. “We had taken too many steps. We met the president of the National Assembly (who even shed tears upon learning of the situation). We met the mediator of the Republic. We contacted the Minister of Health Benjamin Hounkpatin, by several letters. Indeed for the purpose of easy gain in order to extort several million from their victims, he received us but then no” recalls the president of the association. They appeal for the indulgence of the father of the concept and for him to review his decision and lift the suspension. It would also be highly social, why not.

It should be noted that the dialysis patients from Benin were supported on the show by Gilbert Zinsou Hounwanou, president of the SPH AGAINST CANCER Foundation.

Arnaud ACAKPO (Coll)