adminAndile Tshuma, Chronicle Reporter
REGISTRATION of patients in need of free kidney treatment has started at Mpilo Central Hospital after government scrapped payment of renal services.
Mpilo Central Hospital public relations officer Mrs Sibusisiwe Ndlovu said all was set for the commencement of the programme.
Identity particulars and medical documents showing the medical history of a patient are needed at the hospital for registration.
“We are set to go, our renal unit is busy registering patients who will be coming for dialysis. We hope to start by next week. We are waiting for the procurement of some supplies but the major ground work has been covered,” said Mrs Ndlovu.
She said government was targeting the less privileged members of the community in the programme.
“The aim is to ensure that renal services are available to all members of the community especially those who cannot afford to pay for dialysis services. We hope that this goes a long way in improving the health of our patients,” said Mrs Ndlovu.
Mpilo Central Hospital Clinical director Dr Solwayo Ngwenya said Government was making efforts to reduce the mortality rate among people with kidney problems as many could not afford to pay for the service.
He commended Government for prioritising health services, which he said would improve access to health.
“This shows that the current government is prioritising improving access to health services and this is highly commendable. As health experts, we always encourage government to invest in health and such a development shows that seeds of hope are building in the health sector and if we continue on this trajectory, a lot will be achieved,” said Dr Ngwenya.
The Mpilo Clinical Director said unequal access to health services in Africa has to be addressed.
“We lose way too many people unnecessarily in the health sector in Africa due to failure to access health services. Such efforts will enable the health sector to improve and also people to have better access,” he said.
Dr Ngwenya said the hospital was working on setting up a 24 hour on call service to be able to serve a lot of people as he was expecting more to come seeking renal services after they were made free.
“Since dialysis procedures are now available free of charge at our renal unit, we expect to have an influx of patients coming in so we are currently in the process of setting up a 24 hour service for us to be able to cater for a lot of people in a day,” said Dr Ngwenya.
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