The territorial government has signed a letter of intent with the BC Renal Agency to maximize prospects for Yukoners to receive home hemodialysis in Yukon.

The new partnership will increase the focus on early intervention and support of independent dialysis options, the government said Wednesday.

The dialysis issue gained a heightened profile in November 2019, when longtime Yukoner Terry Coventry said he was prepared to die in Whitehorse than move to Vancouver for the dialysis treatment he needed.

In early January, he died at Whitehorse General Hospital at the age of 74.

Last month, Marianne Blythe, a retired Whitehorse school teacher, told the Star she also faces the prospect of having to leave the territory for dialysis treatment. She called the lack of a dialysis program here “near-sighted and criminal.”

NDP Leader Kate White demanded action on the issue.

Brad Cathers, a candidate for the Yukon Party leadership, said he would investigate implementing a dialysis program if he was elected premier in the 2021 election.

A primary goal of the partnership announced Wednesday will be to work with patients early in their kidney disease process to help maintain kidney function without requiring dialysis.

Yukoners identified as candidates for home dialysis (peritoneal or hemodialysis) will be supported to receive training in B.C., and provided with the home equipment, and, where necessary, home supports to ensure a positive outcome.

A review by the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health recommends independent, home-based dialysis as the preferred first option for patients requiring dialysis.

Home-based dialysis is just as effective as hemodialysis provided in a hospital setting, the government said.

“We are committed to providing Yukoners with access to the care they need, where they need it,” said Pauline Frost, the minister of Health and Social Services.

“I am very pleased to announce that with the support of BC Renal Agency, Yukoners with Chronic Kidney Disease will now receive increased support here at home.”

There are approximately 61 people in Yukon with end stage chronic kidney disease, her department said.

None of them currently require hemodialysis.

As of October 2019, there were 10 Yukon patients on peritoneal dialysis in Yukon. There were none on home hemodialysis.

That number has fluctuated between zero and two for the past six years; the peritoneal numbers have fluctuated between four and 10.

“BC’s kidney care community is proud and privileged to continue to be able to support those living in the Yukon with kidney disease,” said Dr. Adeera Levin, the BC Renal executive director.

“This new initiative will formalize the range of services across the continuum to improve outcomes and ensure the sustainability of the best kidney care for people in the territory.”

The new partnership is a first in the 30-year history of renal care delivery in the territory. 

The framework includes exploring early intervention, prevention and localized navigational support to help prevent progression early.

“These are fundamental first steps to building capacity and sustainability of renal services and optimizing outcomes for Yukoners,” the government said.

It is estimated it would cost between $2.5 million and $3 million to establish an in-centre hemodialysis unit, the government added.

Establishing a home dialysis program will cost less than $1 million and would permit the care of a larger number of individuals.

As part of the agreement, government is working with B.C. Renal on actual costs to deliver a home dialysis program.

Even with an in-centre dialysis unit, end stage kidney patients would still have to travel to B.C. or Alberta for this very specialized care.