More and more people in the country are turning to bariatric surgery as an alternative in the fight against obesity and thus for health reasons.
However, the cost of this procedure, which ranges from $ 9 to $ 12,000, is a drag on most eligible patients.
Coverage for this type of surgery is not included in the Family Health Insurance (SFS) Health Services Plan (PDSS) as it is considered a cosmetic procedure.
Before the Covid-19 pandemic, between 1,000 and 1,200 procedures were performed in the country every year, the demand of which has declined this year due to the health conditions the country is experiencing as a result of the virus, explains Dr. Luis Betances, specialist in bariatric surgery, pioneer in the country and with the largest case histories of these types of procedures.
One of the figures recently subjected to this procedure was the merengue player Fernando Villalona, intervened by Betances, in Cedimat. Bariatric surgery consists of several techniques or surgical procedures aimed at reducing body weight and is an alternative to conventional treatments in patients with morbid obesity or various medical conditions due to overweight.
Coverage
This week, announcer Miguel Ortega, who underwent the said procedure, asked the National Health Insurance (SENASA) to cover bariatric surgery by denouncing, through a written document, the difficulties he was experiencing in being able to do so, and so on. to connect the voices. of patients and physicians who have been demanding this type of coverage from the Dominican social security system for years. He explained that when he wanted to quote a bariatric surgery, he had bad moments with Senasa insurance management, who refused to approve the coverage so that it could be performed.
The communicator believes that due to the nature of this type of surgery, which implies a significant improvement in the levels of diabetes, hypertension and other diseases, rather than aesthetics, it should be covered by health insurance in the highest possible percentage, no less than 50 percent since this surgery helps to extend life. He celebrated that the merenguero has the necessary resources to perform this operation without having to endure the trauma of medical insurance that does not cover the bariatric operation.
Cobertura SDSS
On this topic, Senasa’s director, Santiago Hazim, recalled that the inclusion of the social security coverage of this procedure should be proposed and approved by the relevant organizations.
Hazim said he agreed that this surgery is covered under regulation and supervision by eligible patients.