The lack of finance in the country is the main cause of deaths of people suffering from kidney problems in Fiji.

This is the sentiment of Doctor Joji Malani of the Fiji School of Medicine at the National Health Symposium at Fiji School of Medicine.

Docotor Malani said that for one patient to undergo the treatment required for kidney problems, they will have to pay $200 alone.

He added that majority of the people who die are between the ages of fifty years to sixty years and it has been noticed that these numbers are increasing on a yearly basis with the current number of patients standing at 99.

Dr Malani said that Government and the Health Ministry are doing all they can to address the issue with the recent opening of the Dialysis center at the CWM Hospital at a cost of 20,000 Australian dollars.

He added that the Centre has even seen an influx of patients from abroad where they pay $500 for a session.

He stressed that this is a very money consuming sickness as for a local to undergo one session of dialysis they pay $200 with other Pacific islanders pay $400.

He revealed that a patient will have to undergo three sessions a week however because many people do not have enough money they only undergo one session which is more dangerous to their bodies.

Meanwile, Malani has called on the public to be conscious of what they eat and their daily exercise as the changing lifestyle has seen an increase in kidney problems in the country.

The Symposium ends today with the outcomes to be taken up to Government.

Story by: Watisoni Butabua