By Sarah Munthali

Lilongwe, March 14, Mana: Lack of awareness, trained healthcare workers and treatment modalities have contributed to disparities in accessing treatment for kidney failure in the country.  

Malawi is also experiencing a rise in kidney problems due to limited access to diagnosis and specialized care, leading to an increase in rate of people requiring dialysis services.

The situation is a concern as only two government hospitals, namely Kamuzu and Queen Elizabeth Central, are the only providers of the dialysis services in the country.

Expressing her concern during the commemoration marking World Kidney Day held at Likuni Boys Ground in Lilongwe on Thursday, Deputy Minister of Health Halima Daud emphasized the need for people to prevent kidney failure by eating right and going for regular medical checkups.

“Three hundred people are diagnosed with kidney failure and on the World Kidney Day, as a ministry, we want to raise awareness about the disease and how people can prevent it. 

“We are empowering patients and communities about kidney risk factors, such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity, enhancing health literacy about healthy lifestyle choices, self-care and promoting long term adherence to treatment,” she explained.

Daud further said people with chronic kidney disease do not get coordinated care as they have to be referred to several departments and institutions to get appropriate care, saying this results in delay in seeking help and shortened life span.

“As a country, we are doing all we can to provide care for people requiring dialysis services and soon government will install a dialysis machine at Mzuzu Central Hospital to ensure that people in the northern region don’t travel to Lilongwe to access these services,” said Daud.

Malawi Kidney Foundation Board Chairperson Samuel Gumulire said most Malawians mistake kidney failure as any other disease, and they do not seek medical services.

“Medicines for kidney failure are expensive and delays in diagnosis of kidney failure by hospitals have led to an increase in many people seeking for medical help when it’s too late and we call on government to address these issues and raise more awareness,” Gumulire said.

 A nephrologist (specialist doctor in kidney diseases) at Kamuzu Central Hospital Kidney Unit, Dr Mercy Mkandawire, said the late diagnosis of kidney failure in patients is the main challenge faced by the Unit.

“We have many people seeking medical care when it's too late and so far lack of enough kidney specialists is a burden to tackling the disease,” she said.

She also warned people against using herbs as a cure for kidney failure, saying herbal medicines exacerbate the problem.

During the meeting, the deputy minister also launched a renal protocol guideline, a document aimed at providing guidance on the management of kidney disease in the country.

The World Kidney Day was commemorated under the theme, ‘Kidney Health for All: Advancing Equitable Access to Care and Optimal Medication Practice’.

The event was supported by institutions such as Partners in Health, Malawi Red Cross Society and Civil Society Organization Nutrition Alliance, among others.