By Kurgat Marindany
Governor Joseph ole Lenku has commissioned the county’s first five dialysis units at Kajiado referral hospital.
The dialysis machines, which former governor David Nkedianye had initially declined to receive from the national government, will cut the cost of patients travelling to other counties to seek medication.
“Our patients with end stage chronic kidney disease requiring renal replacement therapy have been suffering for years on end because of lack of visionary leadership,” said Lenku as he unveiled the new renal dialysis machines.
Lenku said for a long time he had been pained by the suffering of patients seeking medical care in other counties and yet the national government had offered ‘free’ medical equipment to the county.
He said with the new dialysis machines, the hospital can now treat 10 patients every day.
“We are appealing to our people to register with National Hospital Insurance Fund to ease the cost of medicare. The hospital will provide dialysis to patients with NHIF cards and who have fully paid their monthly contribution,” said Lenku.
The CEC member for health, Esther Somoire said the renal dialysis unit will provide hemodialysis treatment to patients with end stage chronic kidney disease (CKD) requiring renal replacement therapy.
Patients who are under the care of consultants from tertiary hospitals and reside in the catchment areas are also able to access the service, Somoire noted.
Patients undergoing dialysis are seated on special recliner chairs that can be adjusted to their individual comfort in the newly installed units at the hospital.