Sri Lanka to Treat Kidney Patients with Latest Technology at Maligawatthe

Sri Lanka goes for a new state-of-the-art institute which is fully equipped with facilities for diagnosis of kidney diseases, dialysis and kidney transplant surgeries as the National Institute of Nephrology, Dialysis and Kidney Transplant at Maligawatthe was opened by President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday (November 14).

The project has been estimated to cost Rs. 450 million and at the initial stage the Institute will provide a Nephrology clinic and OPD, a 60 bed nephrology ward and dialysis unit with 10 machines. An official from the HealthCare and Nutrition Ministry said that the number of machines will be increased to 24 in the second stage. The official said they hope to facilitate over 100 transplant operations and 4,000 dialysis sessions in the first year.

He also said that the kidney diseases have sprung into prominence in the last 10 years in Sri Lanka mainly in the Northwestern, North Central and Uva Provinces.

“Diabetes, high blood pressure and kidney stones all contribute to the increasing burden of kidney disease causing chronic ill-health in society and around 700 new patients are reported annually”, the Ministry official added.

He also revealed that there are about 1000 patients who need advanced treatment such as dialysis and kidney transplant for their renal conditions in Sri Lanka, but only about 250 reach tertiary care hospitals as the treatment facilities were available only in few government hospitals.

- Asian Tribune -