Africa-Press – South-Africa. More than 2 000 patients in South Africa are waiting on kidney transplants, according to recent data from the South African Transplant Society.
Professor Mignon McCulloch, the chairperson of the South African Transplant Society and Head of the Clinical Unit: Renal and Organ Transplant at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, said the number of patients waiting on kidney transplants was concerning because “people’s lives are on hold”.
“Sadly, the country has a very low kidney donation rate, and it is something we are working on because the number of patients waiting on these transplants is high, and it ultimately means that people are sitting and waiting with their lives on hold and some people may die waiting for a kidney transplant,” said McCulloch.
She said there could be several reasons why people were sceptical about donating their organs, part of which could be due to religious beliefs.
“So, as the Transplant Society, we are trying to eliminate that fear that organ donation is something to be scared of,” McCulloch said.
She added that Red Cross, the leading specialist tertiary healthcare provider for children across Africa, had performed more kidney transplants in the last two years than any other facility in the country.
McCulloch said:
Western Cape health department spokesperson Mark van der Heever said more than 300 people were waiting for kidney transplants in the province.
He said 75 successful kidney transplants were performed on adults and children since January.
“We assess patients for their fitness to receive a renal transplant and, if accepted, a patient will receive dialysis until a compatible kidney is available for a transplant to be performed,” said Van Der Heever.
WATCH | ‘It’s a very high number’: More than 4 500 people in the Western Cape are waiting for organs
He added that transplant surgery was always difficult and a sensitive issue for patients and family members involved in the journey.
Rebekah Africa, 5, who suffers from a rare kidney disease, and has spent most of her childhood inside a hospital room to treat the decline of her kidney function, is finally on the road to recovery.
Rebekah was born with Congenital Nephrotic Syndrome, a condition formed within the first three months of life and characterised by high levels of protein in the urine.
Her dad, Justin, described his daughter as a “soldier”, despite the intense treatment she had to undergo.
Justin said:
He said there were many tears during Rebekah’s hospital visits, but that their daughter was the one they drew strength from because of her courage in fighting the disease.
Justin said his daughter underwent countless tests and eight major surgeries, including two nephrectomies (removal of kidneys), all before age five.
After undergoing countless tests to see whether he would be a possible donor for Rebekah, the result came back positive, confirming that he was a positive match.
About three weeks ago, Justin had the operation to give a kidney to his daughter.
“I was happy that I [could] give my daughter a better chance at life. A life with the possibility of no more plastic objects sticking out of her. All I could think of was the quality of life my kidney could offer her,” said Justin.
As the country marks National Kidney Transplant Week, health officials are encouraging members of the public to consider donating any of their good organs to those in need.
“Kidneys play a very important role in helping filter the blood and remove waste products, toxins and extra fluid in our body,” said Van Der Heever.
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