Saveh, Markazi prov., Oct 31, IRNA - Head of Association of Kidney Patients said that Iran ranks first in kidney transplant in Asia and third in the world.

On the sidelines of the second day of conference of associations of kidney patients supporters here Friday, Mostafa Qassemi said, "The urologists and nephrologists in Iran have made the surgery and transplant easy and possible here."

In spite of these successes, expensive medicines for treatment of such patients as well as expenses for surgery or dialysis make problems for patients.

He asked officials to present a plan concerning insurance coverage for such treatment.

Qassemi added, "Currently, there are 33 thousand kidney patients in Iran, who are covered by the association, these include 16 thousand with transplant surgery and 17 thousand patients who use homo dialysis machine.

The figure indicated that 55 percent of the patients are women and 45 percent men.

... Payvand News - 10/31/08 ... --