Kenyans in Crisis: Hospitals Strain to Meet Demand for Dialysis as Cases Soar Past 5,000
Local hospitals have had to modify their dialysis schedules due to a rise in patient volume.
According to data provided by the Ministry of Health, over 5,000 individuals are undergoing dialysis treatment, and approximately 12,000 others have progressed to end-stage renal failure.
It is believed that approximately five million people in Kenya suffer from various forms of chronic kidney disease, often without being aware of their condition.
In light of rising worries about kidney health nationwide, patients gained round-the-clock access to dialysis services at AAR Hospital throughout the observance of this year’s World Kidney Day.
The CEO of AAR Hospital, Dr. Aysha Edwards, states that the round-the-clock availability aligns with the hospital’s biweekly 24-hour dialysis sessions, allowing CKD patients to receive treatment at any hour during those days.
Monday and Thursday.
“Our findings indicate an increase in kidney disease instances along with higher requirements for dialysis treatments. This has led us to expand our offerings to include additional services such as
“On Mondays and Thursdays, patients have 24-hour dialysis sessions,” stated Dr. Edwards.
The number of dialysis sessions at the AAR Hospital located in Muthaiga North rose by approximately a fifth (17.5 percent) within a single year.
In January 2024 and January 2025.
Edwards states that AAR Hospital is one of the limited medical centers providing uninterrupted dialysis services on certain days, guaranteeing that no patient will be denied care because of timing issues.
Kidney failure can result from conditions like diabetes, hypertension, autoimmune disorders, and urinary tract issues; however, it may also have a hereditary component.
It can be avoided by making lifestyle choices like maintaining a nutritious diet and engaging in routine physical activity.
Dr. Edwards emphasized, “Above all, the hospital is concentrating on raising awareness and conducting early screenings to assist in reducing the number of late-stage kidney disease cases.”
Kenya reportedly has a chronic kidney disease (CKD) prevalence rate of 4 percent, which is notably lower than the sub-Saharan African average of 14 percent, according to research featured in the US National Library of Medicine.
September 2022.
The study revealed that individuals most at risk for chronic kidney disease include seniors over the age of 60 and people living with HIV.
“According to unpublished information from the Kenya Renal Registry, hypertension-induced kidney damage and diabetes-related kidney disorders are the leading causes of kidney ailments among individuals undergoing kidney replacement therapy (KRT). While there have been no official investigations into the frequency and occurrence of end-stage kidney disease—referred to as stage 5 CKD—the unofficial assessments suggest that less than half of those requiring KRT actually receive it,” says the document.
International recommendations suggest undergoing dialysis thrice weekly for individuals suffering from end-stage kidney disease; however, achieving this frequency is often unfeasible in numerous Sub-Saharan African nations like Kenya.
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