Nyamira County to establish renal units in sub-county hospitals

DEBORAH BOCHERE-KNA

Nyamira County Governor Amos Nyaribo has assured residents that the county is set to establish renal units in subcounty health facilities to provide dialysis services closer to the people and decongest the County Referral Hospital.

Speaking at Nyamira Referral Hospital during the launch of a new dialysis unit at Doctor’s Plaza, Governor Nyaribo encouraged patients with kidney-related conditions to make use of the available machines and services.

“I am commissioning 10 dialysis machines for Nyamira Referral Hospital. Plans to procure 30 more are at an advanced stage.

"Of the 30 to be procured, 10 will be allocated to Keroka SubCounty Hospital, 10 to Ekerenyo Sub-County Hospital, and the remaining 10 will be placed here at Nyamira Referral Hospital.

Nyamira had three machines before today’s commissioning of 10; therefore, it will eventually have a total of 23, as it receives more patients, some of whom are drawn from neighboring counties,” the county boss said.

“I appeal to patients with renal complications and other related health conditions to seek treatment and manage this condition, which is currently affecting people of all ages,” Nyaribo added.

The newly launched machines at Nyamira Referral Hospital will enable health practitioners to conduct 26 dialysis sessions per day.

 Nyamira Referral Hospital’s renal unit was transferred from the general wards to a newly opened site that is spacious with a nursing station and other essential amenities.

“My administration will buy more dialysis reagents and employ more medical staff to meet patients’ needs and sustain quality and efficiency. Don’t lose hope as you come for dialysis. This procedure can prolong your lives as you find ways of getting a kidney transplant,” the Governor encouraged them.

A patient, Mr. Joseph Omwando, expressed relief that he will not be worried about long hours on the queue for his turn to undergo dialysis anymore.

“We’ve been struggling to get to the hospital by 4:00 AM latest so that you manage to be registered and be scheduled on the queue because of fewer machines.

"I appreciate the governor’s thought to add machines and his future plans to add dialysis machines to sub-County facilities so we don’t have to travel all the way to Nyamira to seek dialysis services which are very critical for our sustenance,” Omwando said.

Another patient, Mr. Julius Bosire, narrated how he suffered while he sought for dialysis services from outside the County. “I used to travel all the way to Nairobi, but now I can get the services closer home which is cost effective,” he added.

Dr. Jared Oeba, the County Director for Medical Services confirmed that the County has already financed training of two renal clinicians to ensure specialized care for patients.