La DANA en Valencia y el desafío silencioso de los pacientes renales

Abstract

The cold drop that brings the dreaded cut-off low brings torrential rains, floods, and chaos to the streets of Valencia's l`horta sud. It also poses a particular threat to those who depend on vital, recurrent, and regular medical treatment, such as haemodialysis patients. This cut-off low has not only killed more than 220 people in Valencia but also filled our homes, streets, and garages with mud. In short, we have mud in our hearts and souls.

Three hemodialysis centers stopped functioning during the 29 October cut-off low due to flooding. Patients had to be relocated to nearby hospitals and other centres, and half of the ambulance fleet was rendered unserviceable.

Public administrations and health systems must integrate the needs of chronically ill patients into their emergency management plans. They must also develop a prioritisation plan and specific protocols to prevent, manage, and address the needs arising from natural disasters.

The best broom we must clean that mud is love, solidarity, and the hope that this will never happen again. We will be prepared because we will have learned the lessons that this cut-off low has forced us to reflect on, plan, and take preventive measures.

 We are not asking for special treatment, only that, in the heat of the storm, our needs as people with kidney disease receiving life-saving treatment do not drown in oblivion.