Affordable dialysis: A dream for patients
Dialysis, also known as renal replacement therapy, is the process of removing excess water, solutes, and toxins from the blood in people whose kidneys can no longer perform these functions naturally. PHOTO/www.dailysabah.com
What you need to know:
- Dialysis is a critical treatment for individuals suffering from kidney failure, yet its cost is prohibitive for many Ugandans.
Kidney disease is a growing public health concern in Uganda, driven largely by the surge in non-communicable diseases, with thousands of patients requiring dialysis to survive. However, the high cost of treatment remains a major barrier to accessing this life-saving service.
This, combined with the limited number of dialysis centres, which are not easily accessible to the general public, has worsened the situation, leaving many kidney patients and their families frustrated.
As a leading healthcare institution, we have witnessed first-hand the struggles of patients who cannot afford regular dialysis sessions. It is time for the government and stakeholders to prioritise affordable and accessible dialysis services across the country.
Dialysis is a critical treatment for individuals suffering from kidney failure, yet its cost is prohibitive for many Ugandans. In most private hospitals, a single dialysis session costs approximately Shs350,000, excluding essential consumables.
Given that patients require at least two to three sessions per week, the financial burden quickly becomes unsustainable for most families. Many patients are forced to abandon treatment, leading to preventable deaths.
The government dialysis services at Kiruddu Hospital and Mulago National Referral Hospital are also overwhelmed due to the large numbers of people flocking to the centres.
The government must take immediate action to subsidise dialysis costs and expand treatment centres. Currently, dialysis services are limited to a few urban centres, forcing patients in rural areas to travel long distances at great expense.
Establishing more dialysis units in regional hospitals would significantly improve access and reduce the burden on major health facilities.
Furthermore, the National Health Insurance Scheme should incorporate dialysis treatment to ease the financial burden on patients. Many countries have successfully implemented insurance programmes that cover dialysis, ensuring that kidney patients receive uninterrupted care. Uganda must follow suit to protect the lives of its citizens.
Additionally, government should consider reducing import taxes on dialysis equipment and consumables. The high cost of these materials contributes to the expensive nature of dialysis treatment.
By lowering costs, healthcare facilities can offer more affordable services to patients in need. The fight against kidney disease requires a collective effort. While private hospitals continue to provide the best possible care, we need government support to make dialysis accessible and affordable for all Ugandans.
Every citizen deserves a chance at life, and reducing the cost of dialysis is a crucial step in ensuring that kidney patients get the treatment they need.
It is time to act now before more lives are lost due to financial constraints. We urge policymakers, healthcare stakeholders, and the public to rally behind this cause and push for policies that will make dialysis a right, not a privilege.
Together, we can continue to fuel hope for dialysis patients by forging a future where affordable dialysis is the norm rather than the exception.
Dr. Simon P. Nsingo is the Executive Director of Mengo Hospital
