Over 300 kidney patients are treated at the Nakuru Teaching and Referral hospital every month.

Out of the 300, 131 patients receive dialysis at the facility’s renal unit every two weeks.

This was revealed by Dr. Anthony Wainaina, a nephrologist (a medical doctor who specializes in kidney care and treating diseases of the kidneys) during the World Kidney Day celebration at the health facility.

While expressing concern over the increasing number of kidney diseases, Dr. Wainaina said the facility which is strategically placed along the Northern corridor serves patients from the surrounding counties.

(From left) Dr. Anthony Wainaina and Dr. Daniel Wainaina during the World Kidney Day celebration at Nakuru Teaching and Referral Hospital on March 14, 2024.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

These include Nyandarua, Kericho, Baringo, Narok, Samburu and Laikipia.

Despite the growing demand for kidney treatment services, Nakuru county’s Health Executive Roselyn Mungai admitted that the hospital needs more equipment and human resource to adequately meet this need.

“We have space that can accommodate 26 dialysis machines but so far we have 13. We also have a diminished level of staff as well,” says Ms Mungai.

Nakuru Health CEC Roselyn Mungai addressing the media at Nakuru Teaching and Referral Hospital during World Kidney Day celebration on March 14, 2024.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

Agreeing with her assessment of the situation, the county’s medical services director Dr. Daniel Wainaina said the issue has been compounded by cessation of the management equipment services scheme.

The program which came to an end in 2022 entailed leasing of assorted medical equipment for renal, laboratory, ICU, radiology and theatre to at least two hospitals in each of the 47 counties for a seven-year period.

In absence of this, some of the counties have been forced to stop offering renal services therefore piling more pressure on Nakuru Teaching and Referral Hospital.

“Right now we are encouraging people to take up a healthy lifestyle, healthy eating and regular check-up so we can catch the diseases early. However, as a County, we are working on investing in equipment, staff and resources to be able to serve the patients,” Dr Daniel notes.

The event started with a procession across Nakuru's city centre before culminating at the referral hospital.

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How an increase in Kidney related diseases has put pressure on Nakuru hospital

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Reitz Mureithi