BY DR MASIMBA MAVAZA
Scores of renal patients die in Zimbabwe despite the new dialysis machines sourced by the First Lady. The situation at Parirenyatwa Hospital’s renal department is indeed concerning, with only one dialysis machine working in Ward B10. The fact that many patients are struggling to access dialysis due to the limited availability of machines is heartbreaking, especially given the high costs of private dialysis.
The situation is more frustrating especially to those with close relatives relying on dialysis. The decision to keep Ward B6 closed, despite having 17 new functional machines, seems unjustifiable given the urgent needs of patients. The ministry has locked away six new machines waiting for an official opening day.
The administration at Parirenyatwa are not
Prioritizing patient care. They only concerned about parading the new machines to the press. In the mean time nobody worries about the deaths related to the lack of the machines. Given the emergency nature of renal issues, it might be beneficial for the hospital to reconsider the closure of Ward B6 and utilize the new machines to support patients in need.
Unfortunately for the patients there is no
Established complaint system at the hospital. Providing alternative channels for submitting complaints, such as an email address or hotline, could help ensure that concerns are heard and addressed in a timely manner.
It’s essential for the hospital management to recognize the gravity of this situation and take prompt action to address the shortage of dialysis machines and ensure that patients receive the care they need. When a dialysis machine isn’t working properly, it can have serious effects on patients. Patients suffer from severe Fluid Overload. Excess fluid in the body can lead to swelling, increased blood pressure, heart problems, and even hospitalization. There are many deaths caused by this absence of dialysis machines in Zimbabwe hospitals. While Patients can manage this by limiting sodium intake, tracking fluid consumption, and adhering to prescribed dialysis treatments. There is nothing which can sustain their lives if machines are out of order. Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension) will again be prevalent in the patients who do not have access to dialysis. A rapid decrease in fluid levels during dialysis can cause dizziness, nausea, abdominal pain, and muscle cramps. Patients can help prevent this by managing fluid gains between treatments and avoiding eating during dialysis. But in the case of Zimbabwe the machines are hidden away waiting for the official handover day. Air Embolism is another painful situation due to lack of treatment. Air entering the bloodstream can be life-threatening. Patients and healthcare providers should ensure proper connections and priming of the machine before treatment.Electrolyte Imbalance*: Dialysis patients may experience electrolyte imbalances, which can cause muscle cramps, weakness, and other complications leading to death. Some patients get tired and feel fatigue when they do not access dialysis. Dialysis patients often experience fatigue, which can be exacerbated by ineffective treatment or lack of it therefore.
By understanding these potential complications and taking proactive steps, patients and healthcare providers at Parirenyatwa can work together to ensure safe and effective dialysis treatment. Parirenyatwa Hospital in Zimbabwe is actually set to transform renal care with a new world-class renal unit featuring 21 advanced dialysis machines. This development aims to ease the burden on the country’s dialysis services and improve the quality of life for renal patients. However, these machines are safely stored in a new ward waiting for official opening. The hospital currently has only one working dialysis machine and how many more lives should be lost because we are waiting for an official opening. Is life less important than official opening.
The new renal unit is expected to provide better services, allowing patients to receive the required number of hours and sessions per week, which is critical for their survival. But for now the patients must die until the official opening is officially opened. About 85 patients require dialysis every day, with only three treatment sessions offered per day. How evil is it that we do a good thing but only execute it when there is cameras and audience.
Challenges in Zimbabwe’s Dialysis Care are continuing while we wait for an official to come and officially open. Why.
We all know that there is Limited dialysis centers in the country. Most facilities have only a handful of machines, insufficient to meet growing demand.
The machines are only Concentrated in urban areas. Dialysis services are mostly available in cities like Harare, leaving rural patients to travel long distances. Despite all these challenges the machines bought to alleviate these challenges are locked up somewhere waiting for the official opening.
Cost and accessibility issues continues unabated. Patients without medical aid face high charges, and government hospitals often lack suitable machines for patients with certain infections. Now the machines are available they sit and wait for an official opening.
We do have Other Dialysis Centers in Zimbabwe such as Cimas Dialysis Center. This Offers 24-hour on-call service with state-of-the-art equipment and can provide approximately 4,000 treatments for chronic kidney failure patients per year. But it is a private centre and those without money can not be helped.
Harare Haemodialysis Centre A joint venture between Cimas and Baxter International, providing hemodialysis treatment to acute and chronic kidney failure patients and this is highly expensive putting mine before patients. Zimbabwe records approximately 1,000 new cases of kidney failure annually, with about 700 patients receiving dialysis treatment. However, the exact number of deaths due to renal failure isn’t directly stated in recent report but it is in its thousands a year. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) data from 2020, kidney disease accounted for 2,214 deaths in Zimbabwe, representing 2.04% of total deaths. The age-adjusted death rate was 35.89 per 100,000 population, ranking Zimbabwe 34th globally.
Given the limited access to dialysis treatment and the high costs associated with it, many patients struggle to receive adequate care, contributing to the mortality rate. The Health and Child Care ministry emphasizes the importance of early detection and treatment to manage kidney disease effectively. But now the deaths are being caused by the ego. Just to have an opening day 3000 people must die.
In case we do not know these are the key statistics.
Annual Kidney Failure Cases:* Approximately 2,000
– *Dialysis Access:* About 700 patients receive treatment
– *Kidney Disease Deaths (2020):* 2,214 (2.04% of total deaths)
– *Age-Adjusted Death Rate:* 35.89 per 100,000 population.
The officials must consider the lives of the people and not publicity. The prioritization of publicity over patient care can have devastating consequences, particularly in situations like the one at Parirenyatwa Hospital. When officials focus more on appearances and waiting for an “official opening” rather than addressing urgent needs, Patients are not receive the care they need in a timely manner, exacerbating their condition. This has Increased mortality rate. The lack of access to essential medical services, like dialysis, has resulted in unnecessary deaths.
This has led to Eroding trust from the otherwise hard working government. When patients and families feel that their needs are being neglected for the sake of publicity, it can erode trust in the healthcare system. It’s essential for healthcare officials to prioritize patient care and well-being above all else, ensuring that those in need receive timely and effective treatment.
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