The County Government of Murang’a has opened a new dialysis centre at Kigumo Level 4 hospital, easing the burden for patients with chronic kidney disease from the locality.
The dialysis centre, currently with a capacity to serve 30 patients per week, is targeted to serve patients from Kigumo, Kandara, Gatanga, Maragua, and parts of Kahuro subcounties.
Operationalisation of the facility becomes a second after the dialysis centre at Murang’a Level 5 hospital, which was commissioned back in 2016.
Governor Irungu Kang’ata, while commissioning the facility on Saturday, said his administration has partnered with the Benacare organisation to bring dialysis services closer to people.
Kang’ata noted that the county for many years has been served by one centre, which is ever overwhelmed by a large number of patients who need dialysis services.
The dialysis centre at Murang’a Level 5 has 10 machines, thus forcing patients to be put on the waiting list.
He noted the centre at Murang’a Level 5 is overwhelmed by patients who are in need of dialysis services.
The Kigumo dialysis centre has been fitted with three machines already, with the county administration, in partnership with Benacare, working to install a total of 12 machines by the closure of this year.
“The facility is planned to offer 60 dialysis sessions per week. Already 17 patients have been registered and will start accessing services from the centre.
“The centre will serve patients from Kigumo and neighbouring subcounties, including Maragua, Gatanga, Kahuro, and Kandara,” said Kang’ata.
The governor said patients who are members of Kang’ata care for medical cover will access dialysis services at the centre for free.
Kigumo MCA Caroline Njoroge said patients from the subcounty who require dialysis services have been travelling long distances to access the services at the Murang’a Level 5 facility.
She lauded the move of taking the services closer to people, saying a large number of those requiring dialysis are elderly and face challenges in travelling long distances.
“This facility is a big relief for our people who are in need of dialysis services. It has been a big challenge taking the aged patients to access the services at Murang’a Level 5, which is more than 60 kilometres from here,” added the MCA.
Benacare Chief Executive Officer Naomi Monari said her organisation has other partners who will enable them to take dialysis to other subcounty hospitals.
She revealed that they are also in plans to offer mobile dialysis services so as to reach patients at the grassroots.
“We have partnered with Boehringer Ingelheim to help us have trucks fitted with machines that will offer mobile dialysis services. This will ensure patients with movement challenges get the services closer to their homes,” she added.
By Bernard Munyao
