Transplant investment could save €4.4m a year on dialysis

A €15 MILLION investment in kidney and pancreas transplantation could lead to savings of €4.4 million a year on the country’s spiralling dialysis bill.

The Irish Kidney Association (IKA) said the number of people requiring kidney dialysis has risen by 14.5% in the past year and these 140 extra patients will cost the Department of Health an extra €9.5m a year.

The IKA is seeking an increase in the number of transplantations, from about 135 a year to 200, so people can live better quality lives, while saving the State millions.