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With an increase in the incidence of end-stage kidney disease with at least 250 new dialysis patients every year, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has been expanding its services as the only provider of dialysis in Qatar.
At present, a total of 1050 patients are on hemodialysis and 275 patients on peritoneal dialysis. Many of them are on the waiting list for kidney transplant as it is considered the ideal treatment for end stage kidney diseases with significant survival benefit, said Dr. Mohamad Alkadi, a nephrology and kidney transplant consultant at HMC.
Hemodialysis is done using a dialysis machine with a special filter called a dialyzer that removes toxins from the blood, (hemodialysis is done three times per week) while peritoneal dialysis uses the lining of abdomen to filter blood.
“Kidney disease occurs in one out of 10 people, especially those with other chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension and patients with family history of chronic kidney disease.” he told The Peninsula.
Among the current dialysis centres, Fahad Bin Jassim Kidney Center with 92 dialysis stations serves about 50% of the patients. The Centre serves around 550 patients per week, according to Dr. Alkadi.
“Other dialysis units are located at Hamad General Hospital, Al Khor Hospital, Al Wakra Hospital, Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital as well as at health centres in Al Shahania and Al Shamal. Each unit has between 10 to 25 stations,” said Dr. Alkadi.
“At least 70 percent of chronic kidney disease cases are due to diabetes and hypertension,” he said, adding, “We have a well-established pre-dialysis clinics designed to prepare patients with renal failure psychologically and medically for renal replacement therapy and help patients choose the modality best suited to their needs,” he added.
“We work closely with different specialities within medical and surgical departments who assess our patients when needed.”
“Our 5-year plan always takes into consideration the rising number of end stage kidney disease cases in the country. We are in the process of opening new units and expanding our home hemodialysis services,” Dr. Alkadi said.
He said the upcoming Al Waab Dialysis and Diabetes Center and dialysis unit at Muither Health Center will contribute to reducing the caseload at the existing units. Speaking about home dialysis programme, Dr. Alkadi said it has greatly helped patients as they receive treatment in a more comfortable setting.
“Most of these patients are elderly, bed-ridden patients who would normally require ambulance service to bring them in and back from dialysis. By providing the service at home, it has reduced the pressure on patients and families,” he said.
Dr. Alkadi said several factors may increase the risk of chronic kidney disease including, diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, glomerulonephritis such as lupus nephritis, recurrent urinary tract infection, genetic diseases such as polycystic kidney disease, acute kidney injury, kidney stones, obesity, ageing and smoking.
He said a few simple ways to keep your kidneys safe and functioning properly include keeping active and fit, controlling blood sugar, monitoring one’s blood pressure and weight, eating healthy, drinking plenty of fluids, quitting smoking, and having kidney function tested if at high risk.
