Kenyans can now easily access kidney transplant surgery locally at a more affordable cost as compared to going abroad for similar treatment.
Mediheal Group of Hospitals Chief Kidney Transplant Surgeon Dr. Sanand A. Bas, said Kenyans requiring kidney transplant can now undergo the process at an affordable cost locally.
Addressing the press to commemorate the hospitals kidney transplant success, Dr. Sanand said Mediheal group of hospitals has carried out 151 successful kidney transplants within a span of two years.
‘As a hospital, we not only offer the service to patients residing in Kenya, but also those from neighbouring countries as well as Kenyans living in the diaspora.’ Said Dr. Sanand A. Bas.
The kidney transplant program at Mediheal Group of Hospitals according to the chief surgeon started in November 2018.
Dr. Sanand said the hospital has recorded a success rate of more than 90 per cent of all the Kidney transplant it has undertaken making it one of the leading local hospitals that have succeeded in the field of surgery, adding that the hospital has the best resources such as a state of the art operating theatre and a well trained and experienced manpower.
“The programme has however its own challenges here in Kenya, such as insufficient manpower and facilities,” said Dr. Sanand.
He also stated that most people requiring kidney surgeries are persons with an underlying conditions such as kidney failure, heart problems, HIV or young children thus making the surgery to be of high risk.
Dr. Sanand added that the kidney transplant has been successful because the patients get the organs from their own families.
Dr. Sanand said despite the entry of the Coronavirus pandemic the Kidney transplant programme has continued at Mediheal with strict compliance to the Covid 19 Ministry of Health protocols.
“All staff, patients, and donors are tested for Coronavirus and advised to take the necessary precautions. During the pandemic period we have been able to undertake 70 successful cases of kidney transplant,” said the medic.
“It is important to note that 70 per cent of people with kidney failure have diabetes or hypertension. Such patients are urged to take care of their diet and have proper medication to control sugar and blood pressure,” he advised.
Sandra Lagat, a form two student in Ng’elel Tarit Secondary School in Eldoret is one of the patients who successfully underwent the kidney transplant operation and was present at the occasion.
She was diagnosed with kidney failure in 2015 and got her kidney transplant on November 26th 2020 at Mediheal hospital. Her mother, Caroline Ayabei, was her donor. She expressed gratitude saying her life has been better since the operation.
By Ann Linda Simiyu and Kiptanui Cherono
