New kidney unit opened in eSikhaleni

PATIENTS suffering from chronic kidney problems can now receive treatment closer to home, after a dialysis unit was opened in eSikhaleni recently.

The Zululand Kidney Care Centre (ZKCC) was officially launched to the public, with a purpose to assist patients from eSikhaleni and surrounding areas.

It is a third unit in the region, with other centres situated in eShowe and Ulundi.

The establishment offers services such as haemodialysis, sledd, a diabetic clinic, pre-renal programme, nutrition education and holiday dialysis programme.

According to the founder, clinical technologists Yogi Naidoo, the centre aims to ease patients burden who had to travel long distances to get health care.

‘For many years patients had to travel to Richards Bay and Empangeni for their treatments which was very costly and time consuming. Now they can enjoy the benefit of having a dialysis unit within close proximity to their homes, ‘ said Naidoo.

Grandfather Vusi Roy Mpanza previously had to travel from his eSikhaleni home to Empangeni for haemodialysis three times a week, for four hours on each occasion.

The 60-year-old patient said with the new unit opened he will now receive treatment renal unit 5 minutes from his home.

‘It was quite a drag travelling long distances and it was quite tiring. Now I can plan to do something with the rest of my day. The new unit is great, it will be a huge benefit for patients,’ said Mpanza.

During the opening, the centre held a wellness programme which included free blood pressure and glucose examinations.