The Dialysis Unit of the National Referral Hospital is under a lot of pressure. With inadequate staff, and an ever-increasing number of Kidney patients, the unit is stretched to its limit.
Ngawang Lhamo’s kidneys failed a while ago. Her Husband agreed to donate his kidney to her and they travelled to Vellore. After tests, doctors in Vellore told Ngawang that her husband would not be allowed to donate his kidney as the risk to him was simply too high. This was a few months ago. Ngawang, 37, is, now, back and undergoes dialysis.
Like Ngawang, there are more than 80 patients who come for dialysis at the unit and get dialysis done about once a week.
Dialysis is done throughout the week in shifts. Each shift sees eight patients. It normally takes roughly four hours for one session to be completed. Yet, it is not enough. The unit staff says there is an urgent need for more dialysis machines. A lot of patients are getting by with just one dialysis a week, which is less than ideal.
There are only eight trained nurses carrying out dialysis in the unit. The unit has two volunteers, one from Japan and one from Australia. There are also four nurses on attachment.
With the increasing number of diabetic and hypertension cases in the east, kidney failure is likely to increase in the near future say experts. At the moment, there are 17 kidney patients visiting the Monggar Regional Hospital.
But most patients are being referred to Thimphu for regular dialysis, right now, because of the annual maintenance of the dialysis equipment in Monggar. Regular maintenance is said to prevent the growth of bacteria and prevent infections in patients.
The hospital has only two dialysis machines and four nurses, not enough for regular dialysis treatment. The nurses work in shifts under a very tight schedule.
Also, with the increasing number of diabetic and hypertension cases in the east, kidney failure is likely to increase in the near future say experts. At the moment, there are 17 kidney patients visiting the Monggar Regional Hospital.
But most patients are being referred to Thimphu for regular dialysis, right now, because of the annual maintenance of the dialysis equipment in Monggar. Regular maintenance is said to prevent the growth of bacteria and prevent infections in patients.
The hospital has only two dialysis machines and four nurses, not enough for regular dialysis treatment. The nurses work in shifts under a very tight schedule.
