Dialysis is a treatment for individuals whose kidneys are failing.
There are two types of dialysis, hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis, that both perform normal kidney functions, filtering waste and excess fluid from the blood.
When one is diagnosed with kidney failure, then kidneys don’t filter blood the way they should.
As a result, wastes and toxins build up in your bloodstream, hence dialysis does the work of your kidneys, removing waste products and excess fluid from the blood.
The County Government of Nakuru has continued to make strides in the area of dialysis services.
In an interview on Wednesday October 2, 2024, Dr. Joy Mugambi- the Nakuru County Director Health Administration and Planning noted that the dialysis services in Nakuru are going on well at Nakuru Level 5 Hospital as well as Naivasha uninterrupted.
She revealed that the County has 17 machines at Nakuru Level 5 Hospital and three functional machines in Naivasha Hospital.
Dr. Mugambi was categorical that the County has continued to make strides.
According to her, 116 sessions of dialysis are carried out per week at Nakuru Level 5 Hospital and 8 schedules per week in Naivasha.
In addition, onboard on ongoing process as clients keep coming.
She added that all dialysis clients who were on NHIF have shifted to the SHIF platform and no services have been interrupted.
Dr. Mugambi however noting that there has been an influx, an issue that a times interrupts the schedule hence need for extensions of services and expansion.
“There have been reports as of Tuesday that a number of dialysis patients had been turned away by private facilities during the transition from NHIF to SHIF and have been seeking services in our public facilities. This requires expansion to cater for the influxes in terms of the machines we have,” she stated.
According to Dr. Mugambi, there is anticipated dream for transplant services for clients within Nakuru Level 5 Hospital as well as expansion of the machines to cater for more numbers that are coming up.
She was however quick to point out that kidney health is all about prevention and good follow-up at the Primary Healthcare Facilities even as SHA comes in to ensure chronic diseases are catered for.
“We are emphasizing on early checkups and prevention. If we can manage early the better. Ensure you take your medication, follow up with your doctor so that you don’t get to the level of dialysis. Let us only be dealing with the emergencies,” she stated.
