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Kidney transplant opens new frontier for patients in Africa
Dr Antonio Alcaraz (right), head of surgery, conducts laparoscopic surgery on Peninah Nginyo during the kidney transplant operation at Kenyatta National Hospital. Peninah gave her sister, Mary, her kidney. Photo/LIZ MUTHONI
Posted Wednesday, March 10 2010 at 20:18
With the new technology, the donor spends only a day in hospital. The recipient spends at least five days under observation, and takes immunosuppressant drugs to prevent the body’s rejection of the new kidney.
The surgical team hopes this pioneer operation on the continent will encourage more Kenyans to consider seeking the treatment locally.
“We should have faith in our doctors before deciding to head to other countries,” Dr Ngugi said after the operation.
Carried out
Nigeria, Mauritius, Sudan and South Africa are some of the countries where transplants are performed routinely, though not using the laparoscopy technology.
Last year, KNH carried out four transplants and it hopes to increase the number to at least 50 by the end of the year.
A normal transplant costs Sh2.5 million in South Africa, and up to Sh1.8 million in India. Private hospitals in Kenya charge an average of Sh1.2 million.
The theme of this year’s World Kidney Day is “Protect your kidneys, Control Diabetes”.
According to Dr Were, high blood pressure, diabetes and a condition known as chronic glomerular nephritis are the three major causes of kidney diseases.
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