By Mercy Atieno.
Kidney experts at Moi Teaching And Referral Hospital have said that a large number of children in the country suffer kidney failure as a result of using herbal medication.
Speaking to press Thursday morning during the hosting of International World Kidney Day in Eldoret Dr. Philip cheptinga HOD Nephrologist sector in MTRH has said that a number of children are in kidney disease programs due to continual use of herbal medicines.
“A number of children are in kidney disease programs as adults do have. The number one cause of kidney disease among children is infection. A simple infection like malaria can lead to kidney disease even bacterial infection or blood stream infection can lead to kidney failure.
We have also seen a number of children who have diabetes particularly the children who were born with another challenges what we call malformations especially posterior urethral valves among the boys and anterior valves for girls. You realize in our country we still use herbs and a large number of children have kidney failure as a result of herbal medication while at home or in the village and we want to encourage our fellow Kenyans to really seek the care in well trained institutions not just anybody claiming to be a doctor that treats your child”, He said.
On the other hand Mr. Wilson Arwasa the CEO of the referral hospital wants the National Hospital and Insurance Fund NHIF to cover pending bills of the patients in dialysis, hemodiafiltration and patients who have already undergone kidney transplant.
“I encourage NHIF to ensure that these is covered so that we play our role well by ensuring that all patients who require our services are safe here in MTRH”, Said Arwasa.
Dr Arwasa has further added that doing a kidney transplant is cheaper compared to going for sessions weekly.
“we would also like to say that you are close to your normal self you have undergone a kidney transplant without having to come for two or three sessions in the hospital for dialysis every week.
its even cheaper for the family hence all you need is transplant medication. The anti rejection drugs that helps the new kidney to settle in the body and also amounts to 30,000 shillings a month compared to dialysis that costs up to 100,000 shillings a month.
And again the quality of life you dont have to be travelling in and out of hospital each time”.
Edited by Kamadi Amata