From George Maponga  in Masvingo
The much-anticipated opening of the renal unit in Masvingo General Hospital is set for next week with the first batch of three patients expected to undergo dialysis sessions soon after.

Opening of the unit was delayed several times owing to a shortage of skilled staff to man the facility and allegations of bureaucratic bungling.

The unit was expected to offer kidney patients in the province affordable dialysis services as patients were being forced to travel to places such as Harare and Bulawayo for treatment.

Masvingo Provincial Medical Director Dr Amadeous Shamu yesterday said the first kidney patient would be admitted at the renal unit next week.

“Everything is now in place for the opening of the renal unit and we expect the first batch of patients to be admitted on Monday or Tuesday, the unit’s opening was long overdue,’’ said Dr Shamu.

He said the unit will be officially commissioned on a date to be advised after having already opened to patients.

“There were some delays in opening the unit in the past because the personnel who will man the facility were trained to use machines that are different with the one that we have at Masvingo General Hospital but that problem is being attended to ahead of the opening of the unit to the public,’’ said Dr Shamu.

The Masvingo Provincial Medical Director said the unit’s opening would bring relief to kidney patients in Masvingo province.

Before its opening, the whole of Masvingo was relying on the renal unit housed at the privately-run Makurira Memorial Hospital in Masvingo city.

The dialysis machine at Masvingo General was sourced from China in May last year under a government to government agreement between Zimbabwe and China.

Kidney patients from the province in need of kidney dialysis services have to travel to distant places like Harare to get a cheaper service as one dialysis session at Makurira Memorial Hospital costs $140 which cannot be afforded by many.

Kidney dialysis services at public hospitals costs an average of $40 per session.

Sources within the Ministry of Health and Child Care in Masvingo blamed red tape and administrative bungling by authorities at Masvingo General for delays in operationalising the renal unit at the health institution.

The delays were further exacerbated by the mysterious theft of key components of the dialysis machine at the hospital early this year.

The components have since been found.

A renal unit is a critical component of any major hospital and assists patients with mal-functional kidneys to remove toxic substances from the body.

People with diseases such as diabetes and hypertension also require dialysis on a regular basis and the majority of people cannot afford exorbitant fees charged in the private sector.

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