04 Mar 2015

Bokamoso Hospital official says that provision of adequate information for both kidney patients and care providers can help prolong patients’ lives.

Haemo-dialysis and Oncology unit manager, Ms Lesego Kalaentle said this during the Botswana Kidney Association Society launch in Gaborone recently.

She said although it is a common believe that kidney patients die early, such can be avoided, revealing that some patients have been dialyzing for about 20 years now.

The society was registered in November last year and already boasts of 100 members. One of the objectives of the society is to advocate for all members of the community who are challenged with kidney and related illness for improved health care. 


The unit manager said they have observed that proper training is needed by trained health personnel to avoid infections. She said if procedures are not carried properly, patients can develop complications.

She said there are two types of dialysis, peritoneal dialysis (PD) and Haemo-dialysis HD.
The P.D is a special dialysis procedure done on end stage kidney failure patient; a catheter is inserted in the patient’s peritoneal cavity.

Then the patient fills the catheter with the fluid, and such has to stay inside it for four hours.After that the patients drains it out with all the unwanted toxins and this procedure is repeated every six hours.

The HD works similar except that the patient is connected to a machine. The patients have to go to hospitals three times in a week. 


Ms Kalantle said given that P.D patients are given medical supply for a month, there should be systems in place to support the patients with information that will help them administer their treatment at home.

“While at home, we advise them to seek medical help when the excreted fluid is cloudy or when they have headache.

Sometimes their catheter might block due to some deposit.” She said special precautions should be taken such as checkups by medical personnel to ensure that the patients are following instructions.

She said with proper hand washing; sterile field and keeping administered fluids in a clean and recommended temperature is important in kidney patients.

She said if medication is followed correctly, one can live longer.
On another note Ms Kalaentle said most men are affected by kidney diseases than women, and added that though it is not known she believes that men’s reluctance to seek medical assistance when unwell could be another contributing factor.

The official said yearly general medical checkup is vital as there can be early detection of kidney diseases.

Compliance of high blood pressure, diabetes treatment, can also help prevent kidney problem. People are also encouraged to do follow up or reviews and control weight by exercising.

Presently dialysis is offered at Princess Marina and Nyangabgwe hospitals only and said their wish is to see dialysis units in other hospitals. She said to achieve such there is need for support from the private sector to assist in fighting the problem.


The society’s spokesperson Lesego Botiloeng said that their intention is to educate members of the community on all issues related to prevention, care and the general information on kidney illness and matters ancillary thereof.


“Kidney problem changes your life, it controls you and I trust most people would not want such for themselves.” Mr Botiloeng said they also wants to be a link between patients of kidney illness and other relevant stakeholders.

The PRO has appealed for support in the form of money, office and a car from companies to help kidney patients especially those who find it challenging to access medical facilities. ENDS