13 patients die of kidney failure at QECH

Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) last week celebrated one year of dialysis operation with a report that 13 of 21 patients who were treated for kidney failure died.

Dialysis specialist Dr. Gavin Dreyser said it was sad that such a big percent of kidney failure patients died.

But he was quick to add that the unit is coming up with strategies to prevent such deaths.

“We shall start detecting diabetes and blood pressure at an early stage because these are some of the major causes of kidney failure,” said Dreyser, adding that HIV is also another cause.

Dreyser said the unit has embarked on a screening awareness campaign and is developing teaching and learning materials for educating the public. He said it is also establishing links with international partners for networking.

QECH director Dr. Andrew Gonani said the unit will acquire dialysis equipment from Kamuzu Central Hospital once it receives it from Japan.

One of the patients, Stanley Kanyuka, thanked the hospital for establishing the unit which, he said, has cut transport costs because patients used to travel to KCH and Mwaiwathu Private Hospital.