Kidney failure patients get relief
Patients suffering from chronic kidney failure at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) in Blantyre and other districts in the Southern Region can now heave a sigh of relief following the opening of a dialysis unit at the hospital on Wednesday.
The unit has five dialysis machines procured with assistance from Fresenius Medical Care, one of the major providers of kidney dialysis services and renal care in the world.
Speaking when he officially opened the unit, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Health Dr Chris Kang’ombe said the opening of the dialysis unit is a joyous celebration as patients with renal failure and kidney problems at the hospital had to travel to Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) in order to access dialysis treatment.
“It is much easier for health services to be taken closer to the patient rather than the patient travelling long distances to access it and the commissioning of this unit will make it easy for the patients at QECH,” said Kang’ombe.
Brian Prinsloo, chief executive officer of Fresenius Medical Care-South Africa Limited, said a dialysis is an important machine for people suffering from kidney failure as it can lead to saving and prolonging their life.
He said despite having trained the hospital’s staff on how to use the machines, his company will be coming every now and then to check how the machines are being operated.
“The unit is a very demanding facility and it will require staff that are committed to saving lives of other people,” said Prinsloo.
Speaking at the ceremony, Kidney Association of Malawi president Ken Kumwanje asked government to consider providing kidney transplant services in the country’s hospitals as there are some kidney failure patients who have got donors willing to provide kidney transplants.
