Kidney failure cases are on the rise in the Ankole sub-region, with Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital reporting 450 cases last year. The hospital's renal unit receives approximately 30 kidney failure patients every month. This increasing trend has raised concerns among health workers, who are calling for early screening, greater public awareness, and expansion of specialised renal services in the region.
The limited access to specialised care is compounded by the high cost of treatment, particularly dialysis and kidney transplantation, which many patients struggle to afford. Most patients pay out of pocket, making dialysis a major weekly financial burden. Boaz Ainemugisha, a patient undergoing dialysis at Mbarara, spends about Shs360,000 every week on treatment, having been on dialysis for the past four years since his diagnosis with kidney failure.
Dr. Rose Muhindo, head of the Renal Ward, said the number of patients requiring specialised kidney care has continued to increase, while treatment services remain limited in the region. The dialysis unit currently has 30 patients undergoing treatment, with about 98 percent remaining hopeful of recovery. However, fewer than five of the approximately 30 patients received each month are referred for further management, usually after being diagnosed with chronic kidney failure and requiring a kidney transplant.
Most patients are referred to Mbarara from other health facilities because specialised kidney treatment remains scarce in the region. Apart from Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, similar services are available at Rugarama Hospital and Kabale Regional Referral Hospital in the neighbouring Kigezi region. This shortage of specialised care forces patients to travel long distances, adding to their financial burden.
Muhindo said many patients reach the hospital after kidney disease has already advanced because early complications often go undetected. Some patients come for routine medical check-ups and are diagnosed with kidney problems, while others only seek care after developing symptoms such as swelling, difficulty or inability to pass urine, exhaustion, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and high blood pressure.
Muhindo urged the public to undergo regular medical check-ups and adopt healthier lifestyles, including eating balanced diets and exercising regularly. She also advised people to take precautions against conditions associated with kidney complications, including HIV, hepatitis, and diabetes, and to maintain adequate water intake. The kidneys filter waste products, toxins, and excess fluid from the blood and help maintain the body's internal balance.
Halson Kagure, the hospital communications manager, said the facility remains prepared to manage the growing number of renal patients, except for cases requiring kidney transplantation. The Ministry of Health continues to provide support to the renal unit to help it respond to the increasing demand for services. Health workers are calling for expanded specialised renal services in the region to help detect kidney disease earlier and reduce the number of patients progressing to advanced kidney failure.
Key points
- The high cost of dialysis and kidney transplantation is a major challenge for patients in Ankole.
- Specialised kidney treatment remains scarce in the Ankole sub-region, with limited access to care.
- Health workers are calling for early screening, greater public awareness, and expansion of specialised renal services in the region.
