Casternhof offers top-notch renal help

On 15 October, a new renal unit was launched at Midrand’s Life Casternhof Clinic. Local general practitioners, nurses, renal unit nurses, pathologists, hospital management, the group’s CEO Lourens Bekker, and the regional hospital manager, Sagran Sukhessan, were among those present.

Hospital manager Dr David Julies said, “The decision to have a renal unit came once we realised that there isn’t a dialysis service in the Midrand area. The project was completed in May 2013.

“The renal unit has state-of-the-art equipment. Already there are 17 chronic patients waiting to use the units. In the last two years we have built a new pharmacy and an ICU. Our aim is to demonstrate our commitment to the community by providing medical services they require.”

Bekker applauded the work that Life Casternhof staff had done to make sure the plans of the renal unit proceeded well.

“We have five dialysis machines in the renal unit and three in the wards. Kidney failure is a serious condition, the renal unit will help a lot of people who need dialysis. Dr Bongi Mahala will be running the unit. We want to thank A3 Architects who built the unit.”

Mahala said, “Some patients need four hours of dialysis three times a week. Some patients wait for years for a transplant, and there is a selection criteria. So many people do not get a transplant quickly enough; the renal unit is going to assist in making sure that the chronic patients get dialysis right here at Casternhof clinic. A lot still needs to be done to educate the public about the importance of donating organs. Some people are not comfortable with the idea, yet it could save a life.”