Patients suffering from chronic renal failure will now breathe a sigh of relief after the Eastern Cape Department of Health launched a much-needed haemodialysis unit at St Elizabeth Hospital in Lusikisiki on July 24.
The launch of the unit was celebrated as a significant milestone in the department’s mission to bring specialised healthcare services closer to rural communities.
The department stated that the event symbolised its dedication to transforming access to quality healthcare services, particularly for underserved and historically marginalised communities.
Speaking at the launch, MEC Ntandokazi Capa said, “At no other point in time have we ever been as well-placed as we are today to take a decisive step towards the establishment of the renal unit in one of our rural facilities.
“It gives me great pleasure to stand before you with joy and excitement about the establishment of this Nephrology unit at St Elizabeth Hospital, one of our peripheral facilities. This alone should serve as a reminder that this government is committed to bringing services to the people, especially the downtrodden.”
Capa highlighted that the journey required the collaboration of various stakeholders, including clinicians, management, patients, and the public, to ensure that interventions meet community needs and provide value for money.
“This is a costly service requiring advanced technology and specialised skills. However, the lives of our communities come first. The unit is staffed with five professional nurses and three nursing assistants who are highly trained and receive mentoring from Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital.”
She also reflected on how, until a few years ago, this kind of service was only available in tertiary hospitals like the Frere in East London or Livingstone in Gqeberha.
In some cases, patients had to be transferred to Chief Albert Luthuli Hospital in KwaZulu-Natal.
The establishment of the unit, Capa noted, was meticulously planned.
“The ultimate goal is to provide people in the chronic dialysis programme with access to this life-saving service almost at their doorstep.”
Recognising the importance of this milestone, she urged hospital staff to commit fully to their work.
St Elizabeth Hospital currently operates three haemodialysis machines, with two more procured recently. One machine costs approximately R40,000, while patient treatment costs are even higher, with each patient attending three weekly sessions.
The unit operates until Saturday each week.
The Eastern Cape Health Department spends R120,000 per patient weekly, which includes home-to-hospital transport. This equates to an annual cost of R5.7 million per dialysis patient.
AmaMpondo King Daluxolo Sigcau praised the launch, applauding it as a testament to the strides made in improving healthcare services.
He attributed the achievement to the National Health Insurance (NHI) policy, with the OR Tambo District as its pilot site.
“Today, we witness the practicality of the NHI, which offers improved healthcare services. The government is enhancing poor areas like my homeland, Pondoland. I take pride in seeing AmaMpondo leading in government and supporting their communities rather than neglecting them.”
Sigcau also commended the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) for its healthcare support in the Ingquza Hill Local Municipality.
SANDF Brigadier General Mcebisi Mdutywa provided details on Project Owethu, an army health initiative aimed at delivering healthcare services to the people.
The project began in the area on July 18, and will run until August 1. Since their arrival, the SANDF has assisted approximately 10,000 patients.
Mdutywa underscored the importance of healthcare practitioners being compassionate in their service delivery, noting the project’s significant community impact.
