Rift Valley hard hit by renal ailments

By MERCY KAHENDA

There is an increased number of patients suffering from kidney complications in Rift Valley.

The Nursing Officer in Charge of the Rift Valley Provincial General Hospital John Ochola said the number of kidney patients attended to at the facility has increased from two patients in 2006 to 42 per month in 2014.

Dr Ochola attributed the rise to an increase of people suffering from diabetes and hypertension.

 “The trend of patients reported to be suffering from kidney related complications is worrying.  This is mostly due to change in lifestyle,” said Ochola.

He decried the lack of awareness on kidney ailments among residents, adding that some patients seek treatment when it is too late.

“There are more cases where patients report to hospital when there is nothing much can be done about their conditions. The  complications are easy to treat if it discovered early,” he said.

According to Ochola, PGH attends patients from different counties including Bomet, Narok, Baringo, Nyandarua and Samburu and other neighbouring counties at a fee of Sh5, 500.

The facility has seven kidney dialysis machines and more than ten nurses to attend to kidney patients who seek tretament at the hospital.