The Moi Teaching and Referral
hospital is handling an increasing number of kidney patients with four
transplants done every month at the hospital, according to the CEO of
the hospital Dr Phillip Kirwa.
Kirwa says the hospital
currently handles 106 kidney patients and carries out 1,300 dialysis sessions
monthly.
He says the number of kidney
patients is on the rise in the country, with 5 percent of the population likely having kidney-related issues.
“Thats why we are sensitizing Kenyans to go medical check-ups to know the state of their kidneys so that if there are issues it becomes easy to detect early and handle,” said Dr Kirwa.
He was speaking when he
flagged off a public sensitization procession at the hospital as part of events
to mark World Kidney Day.
Dr Kirwa, however, said less than 1 million people had been screened and some confirmed to have renal ailments.
Dr
Kirwa said the main cause of kidney ailments was related to lifestyles
including food and other behaviour.
Kirwa said that by 2040, it is
estimated that the burden of kidney ailments will have doubled.
“We now have many more people
who are hypertensive, diabetic or have congenital issues which are all related
to kidney ailments,” said Kirwa.
He said the hospital has an
active renal dialysis programme running day and night to ensure all patients
are served.
Kirwa said there were long
queues of patients waiting for transplants at the hospital, which is working to
increase its capacity.
The CEO, however, noted that the
hospital was well equipped with facilities to effectively handle kidney
ailments.
“At MTRH, we are lucky to have
well-trained manpower who handle all renal ailments and thats why we are able
to carry out one kidney transplant weekly,” said Kirwa.
Kirwa said the legal framework
governing the transplant of organs would be improved through a bill coming up in
parliament to seal existing loopholes, including trafficking of such organs.
Titus Tirigin, who underwent a kidney transplant 25 years ago, said he was doing well and noted that SHA was covering most costs for patients with kidney ailments
