Tikwere Adventures, in partnership with Emmanuel Maliro's Mphukira Foundation, recently organised a hike up Nkhoma Mountain in Lilongwe to mark Kidney Awareness Month. The event aimed to raise awareness about kidney disease, which is often undetected until it's too late. Lovemore Mazibuko, a member of Tikwere Adventures, emphasised the need for increased public awareness of kidney disease. He noted that inadequate information is hindering early detection and timely access to treatment in Malawi.
Mazibuko highlighted the limited availability of dialysis services in Malawi, with only a few dialysis machines available in Lilongwe and Blantyre. Patients from other regions, including Mzuzu and the Eastern Region, face significant challenges in accessing life-sustaining treatment. He called on the media, health professionals, and other stakeholders to help raise awareness about kidney health across the country. Mazibuko also urged the private sector, corporate organisations, and individuals to support kidney health awareness campaigns and other interventions.
The campaign draws inspiration from Maliro's personal experience with kidney disease. In 2023, after becoming critically ill, the former actor and playwright discovered that he was born with one kidney and that it was failing. His condition required him to seek treatment abroad, exposing him to the challenges of accessing specialised kidney care. This experience prompted him and his wife, Dr Susan Nambewe Brown, to establish Mphukira Foundation to promote kidney disease awareness, prevention, and early detection.
During the hike, Charity Mazengera, a nurse from Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, urged people to adopt healthy habits to protect their kidneys. She encouraged regular exercise, adequate water intake, and routine medical check-ups while cautioning against the unsupervised use of herbal medicines. Mazengera warned that some herbal remedies lack adequate scientific testing, established dosages, and proven medical benefits, and their safety cannot be assumed.
Mazengera also urged people to seek medical attention and ensure proper management of existing health conditions that could increase their risk of kidney complications. She emphasised the importance of protecting kidney health through simple measures. The event provided an opportunity for participants to learn about kidney health and the importance of early detection and treatment.
Malawi continues to face challenges in providing dialysis services. Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe and Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre are the two public referral hospitals offering the service, while some private hospitals also provide the service at a fee. The limited availability of dialysis services highlights the need for increased awareness and support for kidney health initiatives.
The awareness campaign aims to address the challenges of kidney disease in Malawi through collective action. By engaging the media, health professionals, and other stakeholders, Tikwere Adventures and Mphukira Foundation hope to promote kidney health awareness and encourage people to take proactive steps to protect their kidneys. The campaign also seeks to promote early detection and timely access to treatment for those affected by kidney disease.
Key points
- Tikwere Adventures and Mphukira Foundation organised a hike to raise awareness about kidney disease in Malawi.
- The campaign highlights the limited availability of dialysis services in Malawi and the need for increased awareness and support.
- The event promoted healthy habits, such as regular exercise, adequate water intake, and routine medical check-ups, to protect kidney health.
