Sustainable and tenable renal health model: a Latin American proposal of classification, programming, and evaluation

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) presents a major problem to public health, with complex implications for social and economic structures in every nation of the world. Clearly, Latin American and Caribbean countries are not able to meet the needs of every patient requiring dialysis treatment at ESRD. Consequently, a considerable number of patients die every year as a result of lack of resources. Aware of this serious social, ethical, and economic problem, the Latin American Society of Nephrology and Hypertension proposed a new renal health concept in the region. In December 2002, at the workshop in Valdivia, Chile, a modification to the National Kidney Foundation Classification of Chronic Kidney Disease was approved.

According to modifications to the concept of chronic kidney disease approved in the Declaration of Valdivia, a new Renal Health Model was proposed. It consists of including orderly follow-up in patients' charts, starting from the earliest stage, and a model establishing a guideline for the reallocation of financial resources to guarantee continuity of treatment to patients with ESRD.

The implementation of the Renal Health Program in health ministries of Latin American and Caribbean countries would allow for a substantial improvement in renal health prevention and management, as a result of better distribution of financial and human resources.