The National Association of Dialysis Centers (ANADIAL) has issued a statement highlighting the critical role its more than 120 centers play in treating around 13,000 patients daily. Despite challenges faced during last week’s blackout, the organization ensured that all patients requiring hemodialysis received their treatments as usual. ANADIAL expressed disappointment over the lack of response from civil protection services following an outreach during the incident.
ANADIAL emphasized that over 90 percent of Portuguese individuals with chronic kidney disease rely on these clinics, which complement the National Health Service. ANADIAL President, Paulo Dinis, stressed the need for better support, noting that all clinics are equipped with generators enabling a few additional hours of operation but lamented the absence of central contact in such emergencies.
“We provide a service that is vital to thousands of Portuguese citizens, yet we do not have the backing of the National Emergency Network, which we should have alongside hospitals,” Dinis argued. The association is still awaiting a response from the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection.
ANADIAL has called for proactive support from civil protection services, underscoring its mission. The organization expressed concerns about potential future incidents that could disrupt clinic operations and urged integration into the National Emergency Network.
This integration would facilitate access to complementary communication methods, essential supplies such as fuel for generators, water, and support in patient transport management. ANADIAL reiterated that during prolonged crises, like the COVID-19 pandemic, they consistently provided essential dialysis services to those in need.
