The kidney dialysis center in Nyala, South Darfur, has regained some of its operational capacity with the introduction of three new machines, bringing the total number of functioning machines to seven. This development has helped reduce waiting periods and overcrowding, although the number of patients receiving treatment has decreased to around 23 due to shortages of essential supplies. The center serves patients from all five Darfur states, as well as South and West Kordofan.
According to the center's acting director, Engineer Hamid Musa Suleiman, the facility is facing a shortage of medical supplies, including dialysis solutions and sodium bicarbonate, which patients are forced to purchase from outside the center. He appealed for the provision of all necessary supplies free of charge to patients. The center receives an average of three to four new patients weekly, and this number may increase to around 45 if the required supplies become available.
The center's staffing situation is also a concern, with a shortage of medical and engineering personnel. Engineer Suleiman stated that the center relies heavily on donations and relocation to carry out its work, with employee incentives limited to around 5 million pounds, a figure he described as inadequate compared to the workload. He called on the Ministry of Health to provide suitable incentives for employees, particularly if they continue to work shift work.
Engineer Suleiman disclosed that the center's equipment maintenance is ongoing, with the required spare parts from the company on their way to the center. The arrival of these parts will enable the maintenance of three additional machines, increasing the total number of functioning machines to ten. This, he said, would significantly enhance the center's capacity to provide services, potentially increasing its weekly capacity to over 60 patients.
The center's affiliation with Nyala Specialist Hospital has helped address some administrative and technical issues, facilitating smooth operations. Engineer Suleiman appealed to charitable organizations and institutions to support the center by providing necessary medical supplies, spare parts, and employee incentives. The center's resurgence is crucial, given the suspension or disruption of kidney dialysis services in other parts of Kordofan and Darfur.
In related news, the South Darfur Ministry of Health announced that the oxygen plant at Nyala Teaching Hospital has resumed production of medical oxygen. This development aims to enhance the sustainability of oxygen supply and support the hospital's and other health facilities' treatment services. The ministry stated that the plant's operation is part of efforts to upgrade the healthcare sector's infrastructure and secure essential supplies for medical facilities.
The oxygen plant's resumption is expected to reduce reliance on external supplies and provide more stable oxygen availability for health facilities. The ministry described this as a significant step in rehabilitating and developing Nyala Teaching Hospital, enabling it to respond to growing healthcare needs and maintain continuity of medical services for citizens.
Key points
- The Nyala kidney center now operates seven machines, serving patients from across Darfur and beyond.
- The center faces challenges, including shortages of medical supplies and staffing issues.
- The oxygen plant at Nyala Teaching Hospital has resumed production, supporting healthcare services in the region.
