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10 dialysis machines break down
Herald Reporter
THE
health of more than 1 000 renal patients hangs in the balance following
the breakdown of 10 haemodialysis machines at Parirenyatwa Group of
Hospitals in Harare a few weeks ago.
The hospital has 18
dialysis machines but of late, patients have been queuing for their
weekly toxic removal sessions, which have also been cut from five hours
to four hours to accommodate many patients.
Patients from Bulawayo are the most affected following the
non-functioning of all the renal machines at Mpilo Central Hospital.
One of the patients from Harare, Stephen Madhovi, on Monday said there
is a possibility that some patients were succumbing to renal related
complications.
"Last week on Tuesday and Friday we queued at Parirenyatwa Hospital for
hours and only got the help we needed at 10pm," Madhovi said.
Renal patients do not pass urine the normal way and has to undergo the
toxic removal process on the dialysis machine three times a week.
Due to an increase in the numbers of renal patients in the country,
patients now undergo haemodialysis treatment in public health
institutions at least twice a week.
Most private haemodialysis centres are a preserve of well to do
patients who can afford to pay up to $3 million for a five- hour
session.
Several renal patients said there was need for Government to look into
the medical challenges faced by renal patients in accessing adequate
treatment.
They said most patients with renal complications suffer from high blood
pressure and required a certain drug, which costs $6 million for a
single month course.
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