Patients from other cities and countries

People from other cities, other Brazilian states and other Latin American countries can be seen in Presidente Prudente, São Paulo State, Brazil, to have a vascular access for haemodialysis or chemotherapy created or treated. The first contact can be made by phone or WhatsApp. The team explains which documents to send and books an online or in-person consultation, with Doppler when needed. When surgery is recommended, planning aims to sort everything out in as few trips as possible.

How it works, step by step

1. First contactBriefly describe your situation: whether you are already on haemodialysis or chemotherapy, which access you use now and whether you have had fistulas, grafts or catheters that stopped working.
2. Online consultationYour medical history is reviewed in detail, covering every relevant point. Besides the initial assessment, the consultation is a chance to set expectations and answer your questions.
3. In-person consultationThe clinical assessment and, when needed, Doppler vascular mapping are done in the same visit, and the treatment plan is set at the consultation.
4. ProcedureWhen recommended, the procedure is scheduled as close as possible to the consultation, at one of the hospitals where Dr. Pedro Mellucci operates in Presidente Prudente. If the patient's travel arrangements require it, it can be done at a hospital in São Paulo or Campinas.
5. Follow-upThere is a follow-up visit to check healing and, for a fistula, maturation. Catheters can be used straight after they are placed. For a fistula, maturation and the start of its use can be followed by the team in your own city, with information shared whenever needed.

How long to stay in Presidente Prudente, São Paulo or Campinas

It depends on the procedure and on each case. When the procedure is planned and organised during the online consultation, with pre-operative tests done in your home city and the surgery date booked, the in-person consultation and the procedure take place on the same day. The stay is then usually less than 24 hours and at most 48 to 72 hours. In emergencies or if there are complications, it may be longer.

Haemodialysis while travelling

People already on haemodialysis need a place at a local dialysis clinic for the days they are in the city, known as holiday or transit dialysis. Talk to your own clinic well in advance so that we can arrange the temporary transfer together.

Getting here

Presidente Prudente is a regional hub in the west of São Paulo State, about 560 km from the city of São Paulo, well placed near the borders with Mato Grosso do Sul and Paraná. The city has a regional airport and a bus station. In specific cases, when travelling to Presidente Prudente is difficult for the patient, care can be arranged in São Paulo or Campinas, both with extensive road links and international airports.

Patients from other countries

Patients from Latin America, especially from neighbouring countries such as Paraguay and Bolivia, can be seen in the same way. Bring valid identification to enter Brazil and recent medical reports. Let the team know in advance which language you would prefer for the consultation.

Costs and health insurance

For private patients, the fees for consultations, Doppler scans or any procedure are available on request from the clinic.

For patients with Brazilian health plans: Dr. Pedro Mellucci is a member doctor of Unimed and can provide all the necessary treatment at hospitals that accept this plan. Local plans such as Oeste Saúde and APAS are accepted by the hospitals in Presidente Prudente. With other plans, such as Bradesco, Amil, SulAmérica, Porto Seguro, Allianz and Omint, check your policy for the hospitals covered and the rules for reimbursement of medical expenses.