Wife of Ebonyi State Governor, Mary Nwifuru, on Tuesday, flagged off the first dialysis unit of Renal Centre in African University.
The centre is situated at David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital Uburu axis of the state.
Mrs Nwifuru, represented at the occasion by a professor, Nkechi Echiegu, expressed great joy for the feat and encouraged traditional rulers among all stakeholders to educate their subjects on the need for timely visit to the centre for dialysis and other renal concerns.
She applauded stakeholders of the state, management and staff of the hospital for their efforts in ensuring good health for citizens and adequate medical attention to people with renal issues via the centre.
The Point reports that the dialysis unit, in no distance time, is expected to commence production of the dialyzers that will be used in the renal centre, and be supplying dialyzer to other states of Nigeria and West African countries.
Addressing the people, the Vice Chancellor of David Umahi Federal University Uburu, Jesse Uneke disclosed that the Renal Centre currently operates a standalone outpatient hemodialysis unit but has been designed to provide the highest level of comprehensive care with compassion, professionalism and excellence.
Uneke said, “The Diasuisse Technology limited Switzerland is also setting up the DUFUTHS dialyzer production factory located in this University. This is the first of its kind in the West Africa subregion and the very first to be sited in any University in Africa. The factory will produce the dialyzers that will be used in dialysis unit of our renal centre and we will be supplying dialyzer in Nigeria and also to other countries of west Africa.
“Our overall goal is not only to achieve the reversal on medical tourism but also the reversal of educational tourism. The dialysis unit of the renal center currently operates a standalone outpatient hemodialysis unit. The unit has been designed to provide the highest level of comprehensive care with compassion, professionalism and excellence. The centre is also making efforts to commence other aspects of kidney diseases management include kidney transplant.
“The DUFUTHS Renal Centre will function as a centre for the use of advance technology for the diagnosis of kidney related diseases. Renal Centre will provide pre-and post-transplant reviews and evidence-based support services to individuals, policymakers and specialists in kidney research and care.
“The Centre will provide clients with evidence-informed guidance and other vital information required to make informed decision about kidney care. The Centre will develop a rapid response mechanism for provision of timely evidence including systematic reviews, policy briefs, and other scholarly materials to support the kidney science specialty.
“The Renal Centre recognises that kidney disease has a great impact on not only the patients but also their immediate families and relatives, consequently the Centre has made provision for both the psycho-social and physiological support to the patients and their family members. Counselling will also be provided to the patients and their family members on how best to cope with kidney diseases, including dietary requirements, and other vital physical and spiritual strategies.”
