Equipment shortages limit kidney disease treatment in Mozambique – report

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Equipment shortages limit kidney disease treatment in Mozambique – report

12:05 CAT | 19 Mar 2020

Photo: Noticias

Only 70 patients of the 1,300 patients diagnosed with kidney disease in Mozambique in the last few months are undergoing haemodialysis at Maputo Central Hospital (HCM), nephrologist Elsa Chissico revealed during the health fair held to mark World Kidney Day at Maputo’s Central Market last week.

The nephrologist pointed out that, last year alone, more than 1,000 people were diagnosed with kidney disease during outpatient consultations.

“Among the various patients, only 70 benefit from haemodialysis, because of the scarcity of equipment for treatment. The others are seen as outpatients while they wait, so prevention is important,” Chissico says.

Among the preventive measures, the nephrologist highlighted the importance of drinking at least two litres of water per day, consuming healthy food, taking walks and getting routine medical check-ups.

“Prevention is the best cure, since treatment for the disease is expensive, both for the population and for the health sector,” he explained.

Kidney disease is the sixth-largest cause of hospitalisation and third-highest cause of death in HCM, with 40 percent of sufferers dying.

Despite knowing about the existence of the disease, many Central Market traders were unaware of preventive measures.

“Now I know how the disease manifests itself and its severity. So I’m going to have routine examinations now, instead of self-medicating. And I’ll pass this information on to my family and neighbours,” said Lídia Tembe, a Central Market saleswoman for 28 years.

Head of the market commission Abdul Remane commended the health fair for narrowing the distance between health services and traders, most of whom lead packed working lives.

Source: Noticias