IGSS leads the initiative that benefits thousands of kidney patients in Guatemala

The Guatemalan Social Security Institute (IGSS) presented the fourth phase of the program aimed at regionalization and improvement of the quality of care for 5,200 kidney patients.

The initiative is implemented within the framework of the UNOPS-IGSS agreement and includes investments of more than 930 million quetzals through the implementation of 29 national care centers.

Mazatenango, Suchitepéquez, April 16, 2021. As part of the decentralization process and improvement of renal treatment services at the national level, IGSS authorities and UNOPS recently attended the opening event of the new hemodialysis center in Cobán, with the participation of Dr. Ana Marilyn Ortiz, IGSS Manager, the hemodialysis provider company, UNOPS representatives and guests.

Since 2018, IGSS has been leading a component aimed at improvement, efficiency, and regionalizing hemodialysis and dialysis services for kidney patients affiliated with the Social Security, with the support of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). Investments exceed 930 million quetzals.

“We have led the greatest transformation of Social Security, bringing services closer to our affiliates to provide more efficient and humane care. We know that patients must travel long distances to access dialysis treatments and nephrology consultations, which is why we are fulfilling our commitment to expand comprehensive coverage, and optimal, quality care," said Dr. Ana Marilyn Ortíz Ruíz, IGSS manager.

The Social Security of Guatemala, through UNOPS, has conducted four international tenders for the procurement of services associated with the supply of renal treatments, including the installation of the centers, upgrading facilities, high-tech equipment, and start-up of 29 hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis care units throughout the country.

This process is carried out in four phases: i) ambulatory hemodialysis at the Panchoy Clinic, Antigua; ii) peritoneal dialysis services; iii) hiring in-hospital treatment and iv) outsourced ambulatory hemodialysis. The initiative began in 2018 and will be executed until 2023.

“Our objective is to accompany IGSS in the acquisition processes aimed at the renewal of equipment, infrastructure, technology and incorporating professionals, such as psychologists or nutritionists. Also, to encourage competition among companies providing these highly specialized services. As a result, we have managed to contract outsourced services through Long Term Contracts (LTAs) with six recognized companies at the global and national level,” said Esaú Beltrán, Portfolio Manager for UNOPS in Guatemala.

The IGSS supplier companies play a very important role in the process, as they are responsible for the care centers and have a direct relationship with renal patients and their families.

Luis Alfonso Pineda, Operations Manager, Baxter Renal Care Services Guatemala – Medicina Corporativa de Dialysis, S.A., commented: “Through our collaboration with Social Security in Guatemala and UNOPS, we have introduced innovations in hemodialysis therapy, such as our water purification or reverse osmosis equipment. We have also worked with the institute to offer state-of-the-art services such as automated peritoneal dialysis with remote monitoring, telemedicine, and continuous renal replacement therapy. Our added value is to provide high-quality, personalized, and human care in line with our mission to save and sustain lives”.

The Renal Treatment Center is one of the national centers that are part of the UNOPS-supported IGSS program. This center has been in operation since 2010; it runs more than 2,200 hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis therapies monthly for 211 patients.