CONCERNS AS DIALYSIS PATIENTS TURNED BACK AT RFM HOSPITAL

MANZINI – Renal patients at Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) Hospital are concerned over the shortage of supplies that has impacted their ability to receive dialysis services.

Renal refers to the kidney, and without access to these services, the renal patients say they face serious consequences regarding their health and well-being. They also noted that the alternative of private health institutions is unaffordable, with costs of up to E2 700 per visit. The patients are calling for the hospital to address the issue as a matter of urgency as their lives depend on dialysing.

A patient disclosed to this publication that she went to the hospital yesterday and was turned back, after she was told that there was shortage of equipment for dialysing. “This is a dire situation for us because we rely heavily on the machine and if we go a day without the machine, complications arise. Personally, I dialise three days a week,” she disclosed.

The patient said she gathered that last week, the hospital wrote a memo, notifying management about the shortage of equipment. In the process, the patient said patients were not informed, as the hospital made means to borrow the renal supplies from other health institutions.  She said, however, the supplies were used up and patients could not be serviced.

Dialysing

“So today (Thursday) patients are being turned back. This is critical because if two days pass without dialysing, one could even die,” she said. Another patient said they were met with a memo communicating that services were not provided. He said they were worried because private facilities charged E2 700, which was costly. The patient lamented that this was too much, because as it were, they were purchasing their own medication.

A questionnaire was sent to RFM Hospital CEO, Mazwi Mavuso, requesting information on the current status of the renal equipment, how long the shortage has been ongoing, and the measures being taken to address the issue. He was also asked how the hospital was communicating with patients and their families about the situation. In response, the CEO said: “I can confirm that it is true. We used our last supplies in the afternoon (yesterday).”

Conceded

Moving forward, he revealed that he got word that renal supplies were supplied by government. Mavuso mentioned that the hospital had placed orders when they realised that their stock was depleted. He conceded that last week, the hospital issued a memo communicating the shortage, but it was immediately removed upon addressing the matter.
Nonetheless, Mavuso assured that by today, the hospital will be receiving delivery of the stock later in the afternoon. Essentially, he said this meant that patients who were booked for today will be affected.

“We are in short of only three items to make a complete package. We will have a challenge with tomorrow’s (today’s) patients but we will be sorted after lunch,” the CEO said. Mavuso went on to say the hospital was communicating with patients to inform them about the anomaly. The issue of renal equipment is not a unique thing at the hospital. This publication once reported that a total of 22 patients suffering from renal disease were left stranded at RFM Hospital, as the dialysis machine developed mechanical faults.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: