The number of patients on dialysis has more than quadrupled over the last decade
Diabetes and hypertension will become two of the major causes of kidney failure in Bhutan within the next ten years, say doctors. In developing countries like Bhutan today, infection however is still the major cause of kidney damage. But the rise of non-communicable diseases like diabetes and hypertension has doubled the risk.
“If hypertension and diabetes are not tackled, they’ll lead to kidney failure,” said medical specialist and dialysis physician at the Thimphu referral hospital, Dr Tashi Wangdi. He said that about 60 percent of diabetics are likely to suffer from kidney failure.
When the dialysis unit opened in Thimphu in 1998, there were only eight patients. Today, there are about 36 patients on dialysis. Dialysis is a process, which filters the blood of its toxic waste.
Dr Tashi Wangdi said that dialysis is not the best solution for kidney failure. “It’s a bridge therapy while the patient is searching for a donor.”
Recognising the attention kidney patients needed, the Thimphu referral hospital started a renal clinic about two weeks ago. The clinic is, however, open only on Wednesdays and specifically for kidney patients. “Kidney diseases will require more attention from the health services and renal replacement services will have to be strengthened,” said Dr Tashi Wangdi.
A service, the hospital plans to start soon, is called CAPD – Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis. “This is another modality of renal replacement but which can be done at home,” said Dr Tashi Wangdi. He said that, for this facility, a lot of dialysis fluid is required but no machines. “Patients will need to have a catheter and make the exchanges themselves.”
This facility, said doctors, would reduce the load on dialysis machines. “All we need to do is get our nurses trained to train the patients.”
Thimphu referral hospital records show that 10 patients died of kidney failure in 2005. In 2006, that number was 12 and in 2007 it was 14.
Source: Kuensel
By Sonam Pelden