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A friend of mine needs regular kidney dialysis. Nevertheless, he loves to travel. However, during the last years, he wasn't on holidays, because of the regular need to go to a clinic for the dialysis.

Now he heard news that more and more patients travel despite these problems. It seems that it is possible to organize kidney dialysis in other countries.

That's why I'm looking for more information about this topic. My friend would like to travel in Europe. Where can he find more information about that?

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this website can be useful – Dirty-flow Dec 17 '12 at 13:07
If your friend is EU/EEA citizen, they might take advantage of the European Health Insurance Card, however for specialized treatment such as dialysis they'll need to arrange this in advance. See EHIC website for more info. – mindcorrosive♦ Dec 17 '12 at 13:51
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I wish your friend the best and I hope he finds a permanent treatment for his kidneys. – HaLaBi Dec 17 '12 at 18:58
Where is your friend from? Legalities could affect the answer - and some options may be cheaper depending on his citizenship. – Mark Mayo Dec 17 '12 at 19:50
He's from Switzerland. – RoflcoptrException♦ Dec 17 '12 at 19:51

2 Answers

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In principle it is possible. However, one has to foresee one or two extra steps before starting to plan the trip per se.

Your friend should first talk to his doctor. He is the person to ask. In principle dialysis patients can travel, but not without receiving green light from their doctors. The local hospitals can assist patients to make the necessary arrangements for the dialysis abroad.

Dialysis patients probably can't go everywhere in the world. They have to go to a place where they can receive the appropriate treatment. Dietary requirements are also likely to restrict the choice.

The most obvious and easy option for your friend would be to travel within Switzerland. Distances are short, the country has a lot to offer, arrangements can easily be take and reimbursement is not an issue.

Travel in Europe should not be a big issue either. Check with your health insurance what the exact modalities and possibilities are.

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up vote 6 down vote

Though a little off-topic, I can give some hint about south Asia.

Just bring the medical docs and consulting doctor's recommendations. And, of course sufficient regular medications and surely some more $$$.

Arrangement is simple.

  1. see an local Nephrologist doctor. Every big city have some. Get the local prescription. Make sure you also showed him your current medicines. If possible, make the dialysis arrangement through him.
  2. visit dialysis center with the new prescription. It is quite inexpensive around here; in Bangladesh, it's around $50 (per shot) in the best ones.
  3. Now, enjoy your travel. For Bangladesh, you should be able to visit almost every interesting places within dialysis period.(unless you need dialysis every other day.)

bon voyage !

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