THE articles in the press over the last week with respect to a 38-year-old patient, Nalini Shivram revealed a desperate woman in a desperate situation. My first instinct was to ask why this woman was not a beneficiary of a kidney transplant since dialysis is just a short term measure. Then it was revealed that she has been on dialysis for over 2 years. This is unacceptable. I am not blaming the Ministry of Health, since they have supported this lady financially over that period along with the local business community. My only concern is why the Government does not have its own in house dialysis machines and is not offering this service at the Georgetown Public Hospital. A dialysis machine costs less than US$10,000 and in Malaysia, for instance, dialysis treatment costs US$60, so why is it costing US$175 in Guyana? I am convinced that if the Government set up a dialysis facility in Guyana, they can offer it for a fee of US$60 or less (NOT FREE Mr. Minister but cheaper than US$175).

This woman at this point in time does not need continued dialysis, she needs a new kidney from a donor and I am puzzled that her husband who has demonstrated so much love to her, is not willing to offer his kidney and save her life (unless, there is a medical reason he cannot).

I believe that the Ministry of Human Services should jump in and advise this woman on how to best wade through these unchartered waters by lobbying on her behalf for a kidney transplant and organising subsequent logistics. This woman will die prematurely if this Ministry does not help? Something does not make logical sense in this case. I pray for Nalini Shivram.