Eldoret Doctors Mark World Kidney Day with Awareness March, Call for Better Access to Renal Care

Health practitioners from major hospitals in Eldoret on Thursday joined the global community in commemorating World Kidney Day, raising concern over the growing burden of kidney disease and the challenges patients face in accessing treatment.

This year’s theme, “Kidney Health for All – Caring for People, Protecting the Planet,” underscores the link between environmental health and kidney disease while calling for equitable access to care.

Doctors from Rapha Hospitals and Clinics and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital led an awareness march through the streets of Eldoret town to sensitize the public on early screening, prevention, and treatment of kidney-related illnesses.

Rising Kidney Disease Burden

Globally, kidney disease remains a major public health concern. According to the World Health Organization, chronic kidney disease affects nearly 10 percent of the world’s population, translating to more than 850 million people worldwide.

Experts from the International Society of Nephrology also estimate that millions of people die each year due to limited access to dialysis and kidney transplants, making kidney disease one of the fastest growing causes of death globally.

In Kenya, health experts estimate that over four million people are living with some form of kidney disease, largely driven by lifestyle conditions such as hypertension and diabetes.

Improved Access but Persistent Challenges

Speaking during the event, Dr. Sharon Sang of Rapha Hospitals and Clinics said access to specialized kidney care has improved significantly in the past decade.

“Over the last ten years, a majority of kidney patients were not able to access kidney services. Today, courtesy of the Social Health Authority (SHA), many patients are enjoying specialized care with SHA covering 100 percent of dialysis sessions for kidney patients,” she said.

However, Dr. Sang noted that systemic challenges continue to affect thousands of patients seeking treatment.

Growing Demand for Dialysis and Transplants

At Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, demand for renal services continues to rise.

Senior Director of Clinical Services Dr. Andrew Wandera said the hospital conducts nearly 30,000 dialysis sessions annually.

“We are among the few facilities in the country also conducting dialysis sessions for children, and so far the hospital has managed to perform over 200 kidney transplants,” said Dr. Wandera.

He added that the hospital has witnessed an increase in patients requiring permanent dialysis catheters, a procedure that is not adequately covered under the Social Health Authority scheme.

“We have seen an increase in patients seeking permanent catheters, which are not well covered by SHA, and private facilities are finding it difficult to offer such services,” he said.

Delayed Insurance Payments Affecting Services

At Rapha Hospital, Dr. Sang said the situation is further complicated by delayed payments from the Social Health Authority.

“Many private facilities are not offering kidney services due to delayed SHA payments for over six months. Some facilities have shut down while others insist on cash payments,” she said.

According to Dr. Sang, Rapha Hospital is currently receiving about 55 kidney patients daily, many of whom have been referred from facilities that no longer accept SHA payments.

“Even here at Rapha we have not received payments for the last six months, yet the number of patients seeking dialysis continues to increase,” she added.

Weak Primary Health Care System

Dr. Sang also linked the rising cases of kidney failure to gaps in the country’s primary health care system.

“Many patients are diagnosed late with hypertension, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses that eventually lead to end-stage renal disease,” she said.

She urged the Ministry of Health and the Social Health Authority to ensure timely payments to health facilities to strengthen the primary health care network.

“Many primary health care facilities have not been paid for six to seven months, affecting their ability to offer services and ultimately impacting access to care for kidney patients,” she said.

She further called on the government to review the renal care package under SHA.

“The current package does not cover crucial medication such as calcium tablets and other drugs used to prevent kidney rejection after transplant. Patients are forced to pay out of pocket,” she added.

Patients Share Their Struggles

For many patients, the cost of treatment remains a major burden.

A Sudanese national receiving treatment at Rapha Hospital said she was first diagnosed with kidney disease in 2024 and initially began treatment at another private hospital before the facility stopped accepting SHA due to delayed payments.

“I came to Kenya seeking treatment because the service was not easy to get in Sudan. My daughter who lives here helped me acquire SHA, which has been supporting my treatment. I am grateful to the Kenyan people and the government,” she said.

In Mosop, Nandi County, Cornelius Kiplagat Bett said he was diagnosed with kidney disease in 2023 and began dialysis at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital.

However, shortages of dialysis supplies forced him to seek treatment at Rapha Hospital.

“SHA does not fully cover transplant costs and the post-transplant medication. As a family we are strained and have planned a fundraising event to raise money for the transplant,” Bett said.

Disability and Kidney Disease

The burden is even heavier for patients living with disabilities.

Dorren Kemboi, a kidney patient living with disability from Elgeyo Marakwet County, said she was diagnosed with kidney disease in 2015 and began dialysis treatment shortly after.

However, financial challenges prevented her from accessing critical medication, leading to complications that resulted in her disability.

“I am a mother and my children depend on me. I could not afford calcium medication and the condition worsened until I developed a disability,” said Kemboi.

She noted that many kidney patients still struggle to access essential drugs because some medications are not covered under the Social Health Authority package.

“For people living with disability, the situation is even worse because we lack a proper support system and depend on others for many basic needs,” she added.

Environmental Factors

Dr. Wandera warned that environmental factors are also contributing to the rising number of kidney disease cases.

“Many kidney diseases are linked to environmental toxins. Protecting water sources and ensuring proper waste disposal will help reduce the increasing cases,” he said.

Health experts note that kidney disease is currently among the leading causes of death globally, with projections suggesting it could become the fifth leading cause of death worldwide by 2040.

As the world marks World Kidney Day, doctors in Eldoret say early screening, improved insurance coverage, and stronger health systems will be crucial in ensuring kidney health for all.