State advised to make renal services available

LIVINGSTONE Central Hospital Medical Superintendent John Kachimba has called on the medical fraternity in the country to guide government in making sure renal services are made readily available in Zambia.

And University Teaching Hospital (UTH) Physician and Nephrologist Dr. Charles Mutemba has expressed worry with the continued rise in the number of renal health patients.

Meanwhile, UTH Renal Transplant Surgeon Dr. Michael Mbambiko has disclosed that Zambia will this year conduct the first ever kidney transplant at UTH, the country’s main referral centre.

Dr. Kachimba observed that it was the responsibility of the medical fraternity to advise government accordingly on renal health services.

He was speaking during the official opening of the first ever Renal Symposium dubbed “embracing industry, development and innovative in renal services in Zambia” in partnership with B Braun held at David Livingstone Spa Hotel yesterday,

Dr. Kachimba said that in the last decade, many countries had made major reforms in health systems and Zambia had not been left behind.

He said that despite the reforms, renal health services had remained a challenge to the government due to the expenses in equipment and dialysis services.

“We should therefore guide government to make sure renal services are readily available to the citizens… the responsibility of ensuring that renal health service is provided does not only rely on government, but each and everyone. We need to work together and address the challenge,” Dr. Kachimba said.

Meanwhile, Dr. Mutemba has expressed worry with the continued rise in the number of renal health patients. Dr. Mutemba disclosed to journalists in an interview that in 2016, the UTH recorded about 8, 000 patients diagnosed with renal disease but the number increased to 12, 000 in 2017.

He said that the patients recorded were from all parts of the country, adding that currently, there were only four hospitals that provide renal health services - UTH, Livingstone Central Hospital, Ndola Teaching Hospital and Kitwe Central Hospital.

Dr. Mutemba said that this was a challenge to the patients as they are made to be transferred to these hospitals to seek medical services.

Meanwhile, Dr. Mbambiko has disclosed that Zambia will this year conduct the first-ever kidney transplant at the country’s main referral centre, UTH.