Kenya’s Dialysis Surge: Challenges in Kidney Transplant Availability

Kenya faces a stark contrast between the number of patients on hemodialysis and those receiving kidney transplants, with only 160 transplants in 2021 against 5,700 on dialysis. This low conversion rate is primarily due to a shortage of donors, patients’ health concerns, and preferences. Recommendations from WHO emphasize lifestyle changes to prevent kidney disease.

In Kenya, the number of kidney transplants has been significantly low despite a rise in hemodialysis patients. In 2021, the nation recorded only 160 kidney transplants compared to approximately 5,700 individuals reliant on hemodialysis, which reflects a mere 2.8 percent transplant conversion rate, starkly lower than the global average of around 10 percent.

Many patients continue to seek kidney transplants abroad, often realizing post-factum that local options may have been preferable. The scarcity of available donor organs is a predominant reason for this disparity. Furthermore, some patients might be deemed unfit for surgery, while others, particularly older adults, choose to pursue dialysis due to the accompanying risks of transplantation, including the necessity for lifelong immunosuppressants to avert organ rejection.

For kidney transplants, prospective donors are typically required to be aged between 18 and 65 years. Additionally, compatibility in blood groups between the donor and recipient is essential for a successful transplant. The World Health Organization advises measures to prevent kidney disease, which include maintaining an active lifestyle, effectively controlling blood sugar and blood pressure levels, adhering to a nutritious diet, and avoiding the misuse of medications and smoking.

The contrast between the high incidence of dialysis treatment and the remarkably low volume of kidney transplants in Kenya indicates a considerable need for increased awareness and improved access to transplantation opportunities. There is a pressing need for a more robust organ donation framework, better patient education about transplant options, and ongoing public health initiatives to promote lifestyle changes that may prevent kidney disease.

Original Source: www.the-star.co.ke