New Dialysis Centre to Save Lives - Fiji Government Online

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New Dialysis Centre to Save Lives
May 27, 2008, 14:27

By ANSHOO MALA CHANDRA

The opening of Fiji's first kidney dialysis centre has certainly brought a huge sigh of relief for the public especially for those who suffer from chronic kidney disease and their financially stricken families. For many years these unfortunate citizens have been suffering in silence. Their efforts to set up a dialysis centre, which was largely spearheaded by the Kidney Foundation of Fiji, were to little avail. Instead they were forced to spend huge amounts of money travelling abroad for medical treatment. Those who could not afford all the associated costs of travelling were sadly left to literally wither on the quite. However, these people now have the Interim Government and the Government of India to thank not only for recognising their plight, but especially, for taking real action.

The Kidney Foundation of Fiji was set up by concerned family members, friends and supporters of the many patients who suffer from kidney disease. Over the years, the Foundation sought support from donor agencies including in particular previous Governments. They tried hard to reason that the cost of sending patients abroad were so overwhelming prohibitive that some people had no choice but to wait until death calls at their doorstep. Precious lives were lost and even for those who were able to travel abroad, many had to return to a life of paying off debts. It was a miserable situation.

Interim Prime Minister, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama with Stan Ritova.

One of the main reasons previous Governments were reluctant to support the setting up of a dialysis centre was costs. Firstly, there was the initial cost of setting up the centre and equipping it with both machines and appropriately trained personnel. Secondly, renal machines are said to be among the most expensive of all medical machines. But perhaps the greatest prohibiting cost is the maintenance cost.

Despite these seemingly limiting factors, the Kidney Foundation of Fiji and its supporters worked tirelessly to establish a unit in the country. To them, life was much more precious than the dollar value. In the course of their struggles, they have experienced a rising number of deaths from kidney failure.

Enter the Interim Government

In only a few months since taking on the governance of the country's affairs, the Interim Administration showed its commitment to attending to drastically needy areas. A fresh request from the Kidney Foundation was accepted without hesitation and this resulted in the donation of F$25,000 to assist in the setting up of the first dialysis centre.

Prime Minister Commodore Ratu Voreqe Bainimarama says he was deeply concerned for sometime about people dying from kidney disease.

"My Government wishes to ensure the Kidney Foundation that it will support all initiatives that will allow people with kidney disease to live longer," the Prime Minister said.

President of the Kidney Foundation of Fiji, Mr. Dewan Maharaj with Stan Ritova (in Bed) at the new Dialysis Unit.

While demonstrating its commitment, Government simultaneously called on potential donors to lend a helping hand.

The Government of India was the first of a few other donors to come forward with a donation of $US100,000. In addition to this, the Government of India said it will also assist with the purchase of machines, medicine, equipment and personnel including a Nephrologist, technicians and nurses under the Indian Technical and Economic Co-operation (ITEC) programme. India's contribution was made known by its High Commissioner, Professor Jha during the opening of the dialysis centre in March.

So what exactly is kidney disease all about?

New Zealand based kidney specialist, Dr C.S Benjamin says kidney failure is a silent disease that often goes unnoticed and that it is not always felt in the early stages. However, its effect on individuals is harrowing, where studies have shown that one out of ten adults has some form of kidney damage.

"The main functions of our kidneys, which are roughly the size of two fists and are located deep in our abdomen, beneath our rib cage is to remove toxins and access water from our blood. Every day our kidneys filter and clean 200 litres of bloodā€“a quantity that would fill about 200 bottles or 20 buckets. If our kidneys gradually lose their ability to function, we speak of chronic kidney disease," Dr Benjamin said.

Dr. Kushma Nand, PM Voreqe Bainimarama and Dewan Maharaj.

He adds that people with chronic kidney disease are 10 times more likely than healthy individuals to die of heart attack and stroke. The health of their kidneys may also progressively worsen to the point where the kidneys must be replaced. This is either called end stage renal disease and its either patients receive a new transplanted kidney or they are kept alive with dialysis usually by a machine which cleans their blood about three times a week.

Current statistics reveal that the country has approximately 200 reported cases of End Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD). This number is expected to increase by 50-70 by the end of this year.

President of the Kidney Foundation Dewan Maharaj says the Foundation is very grateful to both the Interim Government and the Government of India for their support.

"We are deeply thankful to the Interim Prime Minister, Commodore Ratu Voreqe Bainimarama and the Minister for Health for pushing this initiative. We are also greatly indebted to the Government of India and especially the Indian high Commissioner,"¯ Mr Maharaj said.

He said the dialysis centre will be able to dialyse about 14 people a day at the very reasonable price of $225 per treatment. The centre will also be open to tourists and other visitors to the country as there are reportedly thousands of people who suffer from kidney disease and who need dialysis treatment.

Mr Maharaj said the Foundation has also received indications of further financial assistance from the Interim Government which could see the further reduction of treatment costs.

"Our ultimate plan is to see the centre fully operational. And one of our goals is to create greater awareness on how people can protect themselves from kidney disease,"¯ he said.

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