KOROR (Island Times/Pacnews) — A study conducted in 2021 by the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials revealed that 22% or 3,015 of Palau’s adult population had diabetes.
Of this number, 34% or 1,025 were diagnosed, while 66% or 1,990 were not. Of those diagnosed, 24% were uncontrolled with medications, while 151 were with medications and controlled.
The report also revealed that 1,005 of the diabetes patients had chronic kidney disease, and 443 of them were likely to have kidney failure.
In 2019, 55 patients underwent hemodialysis treatment. The cost per treatment was $834 or $80,036 per patient per month. The total cost of the treatment of the 55 patients was $4.4 million per year.
According to the study, the future cost of treating 443 patients with kidney failure per year would be $35.4 million, which the Palau National Health Insurance will not be able to cover.
Total insurance contributions plus income from investments in 2023 amounted to $10.5 million, while the benefit payout (payment for medical care) was $7.3 million, leaving a net balance of $1.8 million only.
Based on the results of the study, it was concluded that it would be unsustainable for Palau National Health Insurance to cover the cost of hemodialysis treatment.
