Oranjestad- The action by citizen Khanya Houtman of St. Eustatius to get attention for the dire situation of kidney patients on the island seems to have had the desired effect. Based on a report compiled by Houtman, health-minister Edith Schippers has now said to be willing to look into the possibility of establishing a center for hemodialysis in Statia.

Establishing the center would have a hugely positive impact on the life of kidney patients on the island. Patients right now are required to travel to Sint Maarten up to 3 times a week to receive the necessary treatment. Schippers cautioned that there are a lot of conditions which may determine if the center is feasible or not, such as the availability of clean water and specialized nurses. The minister also promised to look into the charters executed by Winair on behalf of the kidney patients, to see if they could take place in a more efficient manner, making the days when the patients travel to Sint Maarten less long and draining.

The situation of the kidney patients is similar to the situation in Bonaire a few years back. Kidney patients on the island needed to travel to Curaçao a number of times per week, until Fundashon Mariadal established their own hemodialysis center. The traveling of the kidney patients severely disrupts their normal lives; nearly no employer is willing to employ someone who will miss 2 – 3 working days per week due to their kidney condition.