Southeast’s dialysis referral centre opens in Abia

In recent times the state has not witnessed such gestures either from the state government or the private sector.The state-of-the-art renal centre consists mainly of a waiting section, intensive care unit of international standard, an ultra modern sterilization unit and a dialysis section.Thus, the dialysis section houses six new dialysis machines and one spare in […]

In recent times the state has not witnessed such gestures either from the state government or the private sector.
The state-of-the-art renal centre consists mainly of a waiting section, intensive care unit of international standard, an ultra modern sterilization unit and a dialysis section.
Thus, the dialysis section houses six new dialysis machines and one spare in case of emergencies.
However, one machine is dedicated to hepatitis B-positive as well as for HIV-positive patients while the remaining one is for other categories of patients.
Renal diseases remain a major public health challenge, a healthworker said, pleading anonymity.
“There has been an upsurge in the incidence of chronic renal diseases especially in developing countries like Nigeria,” he said, arguing they are related to use of agrochemicals, counterfeit drugs, herbs and cosmetics containing heavy metals.
Health experts consider chronic renal diseases a devastating medical condition.
In a town hall meeting with residents, the government spoke of determination to build more than 250 health centres across and ambulances in the state’s 17 council areas in efforts to provide healthcare.
The decision came from a visit of the state governor Orji few months to his inauguration, said Professor Augustus Mbanaso, medical director of Abia State Diagnostic and Specialist Hospital.
“On one of his foreign tours to woo investors to the state, he witnessed at Howard University Teaching hospital in the U.S.A all units of medical facility available in one location,” he said, citing it as having led to the partnership between Abia and MeCure of India.
Up to 8% of medical admissions are related to renal diseases, and “a greater percentage of these patients are poor,” said Emenike Onyekaba, permanent secretary at Abia state health ministry. “It is however a death sentence where facilities for renal replacement [RRT] is absent.”
RRT is main treatment for chronic and acute renal conditions-either as intermittent haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis for life, or total kidney replacement.
Daily Trust gathered that the haemodialysis facilities are few in the country, as Lagos University Teaching Hospital acquired her centre in the 80’s while University College Hospital, Ibadan followed suit.
Abia’s centre this year brings their numbers to more than 20 nationwide.
Patients daily queue up for dialysis at University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, thought to be the lone centre in the southeast, said Eddie Onuzuruike, an aide to Governor Orji. Others travel abroad at huge costs for comprehensive analysis.
With seven dialysis machines at the Abia centre-one designated spare, two others set aside for HIV and hepatitis patients each-complications arising from contamination of blood could be avoided, he noted.
During the unveiling in Umuahia, Gov Orji announced construction of 100-bed general hospitals-in Okeikpe, Amarachara and Arochukwu-to improve available care.
But residents are optimistic that a diagnostic centre in the state would make Abia a medical tourism destination eventually, according to Umuahia-based businessman Emeka Onuigbo.
A separate ophthalmology centre is yet to be completed, though a chest clinic has been sited by the Agbami partners of Chevron oil field on the premises of the Specialist Hospital, Amachree with Abia’s collaboration.
The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria has visited the specialist hospital ahead of possible full accreditation. The council’s registrar, Dr Abdulmumini Ibrahim assured accreditation could come once documentation is complete.
“If you wish to enjoy the dialysis centre, health insurance remains the answer,” said health minister Chukwu in his remarks.
“If we can insure our cars, why can’t we insure our health?”