Why transplant is safest for kidney disorder patients in Corona era
By George Kebaso, July 27, 2021George Kebaso @Morarak
Patients who have been diagnosed with kidney disorders –during this Covid-19 pandemic period – have been advised to seek transplant services rather than go for dialysis.
Sananda Bag (pictured), a kidney transplant expert with the Mediheal Group of Hospitals says that the Covid-19 pandemic has exposed kidney patients to greater pain and uncertainty.
This, he noted, is because most of the patients on dialysis spend more time in health facilities where the risk of coronavirus infection is high.
Statistics show the country has an estimated 50,000 kidney patients on dialysis.
Bag said between 10-14 per cent, about 5.2 million to 7.3 million out of 52 million people are at high risk of kidney failure.
“Compared to dialysis, kidney transplant is associated with better quality of life,” he added.
It is emerging that patients on dialysis require not just breathing support but also renal replacement therapy for their damaged kidney.
Monstrous journey
This has left many health facilities in a compromised healthcare system like the one in Kenya at a greater strain with insufficient dialysis equipment and trained staff.
John, as he prefers to be identified, is caring for a patient enlisted for dialysis twice a week, to prolong her life.
Besides, the time he spends taking the patient to hospital, John is required to cough up to Sh67, 000 just for tests and drugs.
“It’s a monstrous journey we never envisaged,” those were the only words he was able to say when approached by People Daily yesterday to talk about his life with a patient who has renal challenges.
The Lancet Report published in April 2020, shows that the total costs of providing haemodialysis in Kenya would be in the range of Sh170 billion ($1·7 billion) annually.
Bag said 70-75 per cent of kidney failures are caused by uncontrolled diabetes and high blood pressure.