Installation of a renal unit in Murang’a level-5 hospital back in 2015 has greatly relieved hundreds of patients who were forced to seek dialysis services in facilities away from the county.
Patients suffering from kidney failure were forced to travel to Kenyatta National hospital for dialysis, which was not only expensive but also tiring and time consuming for patients and relatives.
The unit was established by the County government, in partnership with Kenya Commercial Bank Foundation and equipped with nine dialysis machines.
After establishment of the unit, patients from within the county who were receiving dialysis services in Nairobi based hospitals shifted to receive the services in the Murang’a hospital.
Speaking to KNA Saturday, Deputy Officer in charge of the unit Dr. Zachary Mugambi said that since its inception, the services are offered six days a week, conducting dialysis to about nine patients a week.
“The renal unit has been of great assistance to patients from Murang’a and neighbouring counties and when the number of the patients goes high we refer them to nearby NHIF private accredited hospitals,” noted the medic.
“Because of the high numbers patients need to book appointments with us to help us allocate them appropriate time for their dialysis. Luckily we have been operating without major challenges and majority of the people we serve are appreciate our services,” he further noted.
He said the department is in need of more members of staff noting that they are only five of them serving the huge number of patients.
“We request the county government to sponsor several clinical officers to go for training on renal field so that we can efficiently service our patients,” noted Mugambi.
One of the patients, Henry Muchoki said he started undergoing dialysis in 2012 at Kenyatta National Hospital.
Muchoki reflected the many challenges he underwent to reach Nairobi from Murang’a saying at KNH they used to wait for several days before being served.
“Starting of dialysis services here in Murang’a Level 5 hospital really helped me. I don’t incur a lot of expenses and once I reach the hospital I receive the services immediately,” added Muchoki.
The county executive member for health and sanitation, Mr. Joseph Mbai said the county government was in process of expanding the renal unit to accommodate more patients.
“Our renal unit has been rated as one of the best in the country and efforts are being put to expand it and also soon we will open another one in Kigumo Sub County,” added Mbai.
By Bernard Munyao
Renal unit in Murang’a Hospital a big relief for patients
