NAIROBI: While anti-retroviral treatments has made it possible for Kenyans with HIV/Aids to live longer, healthier lives, these gains are being lost as kidney complication send those within this demographic to an early grave.
Statistics from the Ministry of Heath indicate that chronic kidney diseases have joined the list of leading causes of death among persons with HIV/Aids with complications arising either from the virus itself or anti-HIV treatments received.
Dr George Moturi, a kidney specialist at the Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi, confirms that the number of Kenyans who have developed kidney complications or kidney failure due to HIV/Aids are on a steady and worrying rise.
“Many of those with HIV/Aids are no longer dying from the disease itself or opportunistic infections. Instead, chronic complications such as kidney diseases are taking their lives. This changing trend needs to be addressed quickly,” he said.
It is estimated that chronic kidney diseases affects between six to 45 per cent of persons living with HIV/Aids in Sub-Saharan African countries.
In Kenya, where at least 1.6 million people are living with the disease, it is believed an average of 30 per cent - three out of every 10 persons with HIV have kidney disease.
Dr Ahmed Kalebi, honourary lecturer at the University of Nairobi, said low awareness about kidney diseases among this demographic makes them, especially, vulnerable.
Calls have been made for enhanced screening, which is touted as playing a central role in reducing “preventable deaths”.
“Without robust screening programmes, such complications are discovered too late when the damage has already been done.
In most instances, the gradual progression of kidney deterioration means that a red-flag is raised when they have already failed. This is what makes screening so key,” said Dr Kalebi who is also CEO of Pathologists Lancet Kenya, the largest medical laboratory service provider in the country.
He also said enhanced provision of affordable treatment and management services across the country including dialysis for those whose kidneys have failed is needed.
A recent study at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret on 373 HIV patients currently on anti-retrovirals showed that screening for kidney complications is needed before this treatment is initiated.
Dr Moturi said once kidney failure is diagnosed, the sufferers often succumb to the illness very quickly because most cannot afford dialysis services which cost between Sh15,000 and Sh20,000 per week in private facilities. The services remain largely unavailable in public facilities.
He said apart from those with HIV/Aids, others who are susceptible to kidney problems include those with diabetes, hypertension, hepatitis and those with higher viral loads.
Stay informed. Subscribe to our newsletter
A recent study by Medecins Sans Frontieres in Nairobi’s informal settlement of Kibera concluded that HIV clinics should integrate screening and care for non-communicable diseases such as kidney complications in their programmes to reduce the number of deaths.
The Standard Group Plc is a
multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper
print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The
Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key
influence in matters of national and international interest.
join