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Walter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
The absence of curtains used for screening purposes is stalling operations at the $200 000 renal unit at Masvingo General Hospital.

The unit, which was installed last year was expected to be operational last month with three kidney patients set to be the first beneficiaries of dialysis sessions.

Provincial medical director Dr Amadeaus Shamu said delays in operationalising the unit was caused by minor works that needed to be addressed.

“The renal unit was supposed to start working last month, but it was later realised some minor works needed to be done. We are working to address the situation so that the machine can start working,” said Dr Shamu.

He said he had asked the hospital to quantify and make a formal requisition of the material needed for the machine to start operating.

“I have asked the hospital to give us the quantities and cost of the items needed. Once we get the requisition, we will order the required items. We only need curtains to work as screens to demarcate the room.

“We also need a well-planned and properly equipped sluice room and that is important for maintaining hygiene and to prevent cross infections,” he said.

He said a sluice room is where used disposables such as incontinence pad and bed pans are deposited and reusable products are cleaned and disinfected.

He, however, expressed optimism that the renal unit will be operational by the end of this month, giving hope for many renal patients in the province.

“I am optimistic that the renal unit will be fully operational by end of this month. The machine will be manned by three or four staffers who have received training in Harare.”

Kidney patients from the province have to travel to Harare or Bulawayo to get affordable dialysis services.

A dialysis session at the privately-owned Makurira Memorial Hospital in the city costs $140, which is beyond the reach of many patients.

Kidney dialysis services at public hospitals costs an average of $40 per session. All the country’s 10 provincial referral hospitals have each received a dialysis machine sourced from China in May last year under a government-to-government arrangement between Zimbabwe and China.