Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital director John Kibosia has urged Kenyans to attend at least one kidney checkup per year to avoid disorders which can be prevented.
Speaking at the hospital on Saturday, Kibosia said once an individual is diagnosed with a disorder, it’s easy to be put on medication before it becomes chronic and occasion a transplant which is an expensive exercise.
"Most kidney disorders could have been treated if only if they had been treated early. I urge Kenyans to visit a kidney specialist for check up at least once in year and if found with certain complications, they will be directed on what to do to be healed. They should not wait until the case becomes chronic so as to rush to the hospital when it’s too late," he said.
He added that the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital can now undertake kidney transplants without the help of foreign doctors after every three months.
"So far MTRH has conducted six successful kidney transplants with the help of our friends from Netherlands who have instructed us on how to do it and now we are qualified to conduct it using our local doctors. I urge patients with kidney problems to come and we will offer them the help they need," he added.
He reiterated that MTRH is conducting kidney transplants at a subsidised rate of Sh600, 000 where Sh300, 000 goes for surgery while another Sh300 000 is used on drugs after the transplant.
He also challenged the national government through the Ministry of Health to subsidise the cost of drugs used by kidney patients as they currently spend Sh30,000 per month on drugs.