Shadow Finance Minister Dr Biman Prasad expressed disappointment on the allocation for dialysis treatment.
$300,000 has been allocated in the 2016 – 2017 National budget.
A motion was moved by Opposition MP Salote Radrodro to increase the allocation by $700,000.
Prasad supported the motion stating that the opposition had made the same request last year which was defeated.
Prasad also raised concern that there is more funding being allocated by Government in other expenditure such as golf tournaments.
“It’s actually quite shameful, I mean this is a government who boasts about not living anyone behind and yet we have a situation where we’re only allocating $300,000 for kidney dialysis which is a very expensive. I mean I don’t understand why the government cannot increase this allocation” said Prasad
However Health Minister Jone Usamate argued that the health of the people is a major priority for government.
“It tugs at my heart what happens for people who need dialysis because they’re in a chronic situation, what government has been focusing so far for the past few years since I’ve been there is to look at those who we can help, those who have acute problem that if we provide dialysis they can get better those are the kind of people that have been supported so far and I believe that’s something we’ll need to continue to do but ultimately the long term solution has to address the issue of diabetes and prevention” said Usamate
The motion was defeated after 29 voted against while 16 voted in favor, 5 did not vote.