Africa-Press – Botswana. Scottish Livingstone Hospital in collaboration with Renal Care Institute (RCI) has made great strides by establishing a dialysis unit to improve access to kidney care.
Kweneng District Health Management Team (DHMT) official, Ms Josephine Mosimanewakgosi said during World Kidney Day commemoration at Scottish Livingston Hospital recently that the move was meant to bring dialysis services closer to patients in Kweneng District
“By bringing dialysis services closer to the patients in this region, we have reduced travel times and costs, making it significantly easier for those requiring regular treatments to access the care they need,” she said.
Ms Mosimanewakgosi said the presence of this dialysis centre was a testament to their commitment to breaking down barriers to healthcare.
Further, she said the unit not only offered life-saving treatment but also embodied their dedication to advancing equitable access to care.
She, however, noted that to further improve access, investment in healthcare infrastructure, expansion of community–based screening programmes to identify kidney diseases at an early stage and ensuring availability of essential medications at all healthcare levels was of utmost importance.
Likewise, she said, improving access to the best medical therapies was critical in enhancing patient outcomes.
“This involves not only the provision of advanced dialysis services but also the integration of optimal medication practice, including the availability of essential drugs and personalised care plans,” she underscored
Therefore, she reiterated that to further improve the quality of care delivered to kidney patients, it was important to make sure that healthcare providers were well-trained in the latest nephrology practices.
Additionally, she highlighted that advocating for policies that supported kidney health research and the adoption of innovative treatment options would be crucial in the ongoing efforts to improve patient outcomes.
Explaining the objective of the day RCI founder, Dr Gaoitsewe Saleshando said the main objective was to raise awareness about kidney disease and to promote kidney health.
He explained that the kidneys were responsible for filtering and removing waste products from the blood.
He further explained that when they are not functioning properly waste products could build up in the body and cause serious health problems.
He said they had realised one of their aims by bringing dialysis services closer to the people in the Kweneng district.
Kidney patients Mr Thapelo Seitei and Mr Emmanuel Regoeng also reiterated the importance of maintaining healthy eating habits and fluid intake.
They advised kidney patients to see doctors at the first appearance of symptoms or signs of the disease and desist from consulting traditional doctors to avoid making the condition worse.
World Kidney Day is an annual event that is observed on the second Thursday of March to raise awareness about the disease and to promote kidney health.
This year, it was commemorated under the theme: Advancing Equitable Access to Care and Optimal Medication Practice.
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