Innovation and decentralization of renal patient services in Quetzaltenango and the western part of the country

The Guatemalan Social Security Institute (IGSS) inaugurated a Hemodialysis Center in Quetzaltenango, which will provide services to renal patients in the western part of the country, as part of the program of regionalization and improvement in the quality of care for 5,200 renal patients nationwide.

A total of 280 renal patients of the Social Security benefit in Quetzaltenango and the west, thanks to new services in the region, which include the improvement of facilities, equipment, medical innovations, and health technology, as well as support for the renal patients.

These improvements were presented by Carlos Contreras, president of the IGSS Board of Directors, in the framework of the launch of the new center in Quetzaltenango, through a virtual and physical event held on April 28, 2021, with the participation of the departmental authorities, the company providing hemodialysis services, Mr. Andrea Calvaruso, Director of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and guests.

The IGSS Management Board and the Administration jointly with UNOPS, through the Acquisition of Medicines and Institutional Strengthening Project (AMEDIGSS), regionalized the renal replacement treatment (peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis) for renal patients in the national territory.

“It is a wish come true that emerged in the IGSS Board of Directors in favor of renal patients. Through this regional hemodialysis program, we will be in seven strategic places in the country, with a comprehensive service. We are laying the foundations for a different Guatemalan Social Security Institute to protect Guatemalans and contribute to eliminate poverty," said Mr. Contreras.

To strengthen Social Security, in June 2016 the Board signed an agreement with UNOPS to ensure the implementation of different projects aimed at the procurement of medicines, supplies, medical equipment, timely access to renal replacement therapy, managing technology processes, infrastructure processes, among other resources for the benefit of those insured, all with total transparency and the highest quality standards. The IGSS has made investments of more than Q 930 million, aimed at improving renal care; as well as decentralizing services, through 29 care centers in the country, benefiting renal patients and their families.

This process is carried out in four phases: ambulatory hemodialysis at the Panchoy Clinic, Antigua; peritoneal dialysis services; hiring in-hospital cleansing treatments, and outsourced ambulatory hemodialysis.

As part of the innovation, improvement, and outreach of services, IGSS implements Phase Four of the Decentralization Process of Ambulatory Chronic Hemodialysis Services (HCA). They will be provided in 13 care centers located in six regions, seven of these centers are already operating, and six more will be made available to care for an estimated 2,850 patients. The centers are located in Mazatenango, Suchitepéquez; Cuilapa, Santa Rosa; Morales, Izabal; Cobán, Alta Verapaz; Retalhuleu, Quetzaltenango, Escuintla, Zacapa and five in the department of Guatemala: Mixco, Villa Nueva, and zones 1, 9 and 12 of the capital city.

“The strategic partnership between IGSS, service providers and affiliates is fundamental. Medical and logistics innovations and new services such as nutrition and psychological support are being incorporated. Additionally, care for kidney disease is turning around, focusing on improving the quality of life of patients and their families throughout the national territory,” expressed Calvaruso, Director of UNOPS.

The supplier of the IGSS hemodialysis services in Quetzaltenango is company Sugerencias Médicas, S.A - Fresenius Medical Care, a German company with worldwide operations. Fresenius Medical Care Central America and the Caribbean, General Manager Rómulo Gallo said: “This is the first of 5 centers that we will be opening in the country and that are part of the important decentralization initiative of the IGSS with the support of UNOPS, to save time and resources for thousands of patients with kidney disease in Guatemala, by having more centers nearby. At the SUMEDICA-Fresenius Medical Care Quetzaltenango center, we combine treatment with the highest quality standard with personalized care for all patients, committed to improving their quality of life, not only for the patients in Quetzaltenango but for the entire western region of the country.