Prevention, reimbursement, innovations: Dedonder questions Vandenbroucke on kidney diseases

Socialist MP Ludivine Dedonder questioned Federal Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke in the Chamber about prevention and management of chronic kidney diseases. She advocates for systematic screening, better reimbursement of tests and increased support for research, particularly regarding xenotransplantation.

“Chronic kidney diseases represent a major public health challenge in Belgium, affecting more than one million people,” said Ludivine Dedonder. She noted that early screening could prevent progression to end-stage renal failure, which requires dialysis or a transplant. “Yet screening is simple and could be generalised,” she insisted.

In response, Frank Vandenbroucke announced an expansion of the reimbursement of screening tests. “The reimbursement of the test to detect abnormal albumin in urine will be extended to other at-risk groups recommended according to international guidelines,” the minister specified. These groups will be able to benefit from the benefit up to three times per year. Furthermore, targeted screening for patients over 45 years of age, carried out by their general practitioner, will be reimbursed every five years. The minister emphasised the central role that GPs will have to play in raising awareness of screening.

The MP from Tournai also questioned the minister on scientific advances in transplantation, mentioning in particular xenotransplantation trials conducted in the United States. She wanted to know the state of research in Belgium. Frank Vandenbroucke indicated that research in Belgium on renal xenotransplantation is still at the preclinical stage and is not the subject of national funding to date. However, he mentioned Belgian participation in several European projects. One of them, conducted at KU Leuven, focuses on innovative cell therapies. The IMEC research centre, for its part, is developing an implantable bioartificial kidney combining microelectronics and biology.

Ludivine Dedonder concluded by emphasising the importance of a comprehensive approach. “The fight against renal failure requires systematic screening, enhanced access to innovative therapies and constant support for research to offer new solutions to patients,” she declared.