Dialysis unit opens in Queenstown
Relief for patients with kidney failure
THE National Renal Care (NRC) state-ofthe-art dialysis unit, which offers dialysis for up to 80 patients three times per week, opened in Grey Street in Queenstown last Thursday.
NRC Eastern Cape operations manager Leone Barends said the unit would serve a catchment population of about 234 674 from the areas of Lady Frere, Cala, Queenstown, Whittlesea, Elliot, Indwe, Middelburg, Sterkstroom, Dordrecht, Cradock, Tarkastad, Ugie, Steynsburg and Cofimvaba.
The unit has 16 dialysis stations to provide a service to patients with chronic kidney failure.
Barends said the new unit would not only enhance the current level of care pro- vided to patients on dialysis, but would also promote renewed enthusiasm among staff who were dedicated to excellence in renal healthcare delivery.
Dr Mervyn Griffiths had overseen operations at the Queenstown unit since its inception in 2001 until his retirement in 2014. Currently the unit was served by 11 staff members including five registered nurses with Dr John Shweni at the helm.
Long-time patient Monalisa Sana said she thought her life was over until she started with dialysis.
“I am on dialysis and I live a normal life. I have made friends here and we all live a normal life. I want to tell people that being on dialysis is not a death sentence,” she said.