Kidney disease has been one of the chronic diseases in Kenya that claim the lives of many individuals. The cost of treatment is also quite high.
Magdalene Wanjiru a resident of Kiaritha area in Kerugoya, Kirinyaga Central has been battling multiple diseases for quite some time. The 56-year-old woman was diagnosed with diabetes 32 years ago.
She already had three children and later blessed with one after getting diabetes.
Sometime later she developed hypertension. At this period her husband left her after he realized her condition was worsening.
“My husband left and married another wife after I got sick,” she said. “I have no one to rely on, my children and neighbors only.”
After several visits to different hospitals in an attempt to get treatment more tragic disease came. Wanjiru developed breast cancer. She has been undergoing therapy sessions at Kenyatta National Hospital. In and out of the facility she has run out of money and relies on well-wishers to pay for the medical expenses and process. Sometimes she missed the sessions over financial challenges.
What seems to be unending woes Wanjiru was diagnosed with kidney failure. She has visited Kenyatta National Hospital, Aga Khan, Nairobi West, Embu and Keruguyo Referral Hospital for dialysis.
While undergoing dialysis the medics opted for to implantation of a catheter. A catheter is a machine used for exchanging blood to and from a hemodialysis machine and a patient.
Wanjiru said that catheter machine wasn’t compatible with her arteries and keep blocking. Replacing it once will cost up to Sh15,000. She cannot afford the whole kidney transplant nor better catheter which can work well with her body
“All this comes with a huge medical bills that come with weekly dialysis procedures, as well as the great amount of time spent in the whole process,” she said.
The side effects of blood clotting lead to loss of sight. With a natural stick in place of the white cane, she walks in out of her house hoping one day all shall be well.
Wanjiru now lives with hypertension, breast cancer, kidney failure, and blindness. The only hope is her children who she said are in business in Ruaka and another one in wines and spirits shop.
By Leonard Mutai
