Another renal unit for North West

The North West province received its third Renal Unit. MEC. Dr. Magome Masike officially opened a renal unit at Job Shimankana Tabane Hospital, Rustenburg on 27 February 2012.

The delivery of renal services has been identified as one of the crucial service priority. The R3.2 million (includes infrastructure, equipments and training) facility is anticipated to respond to the dire need for dialysis treatment in Bojanala District and to ease the burden from Klerksdorp/Tshepong hospital complex and Mafikeng hospital.

The Renal Unit shall enable the people of greater Rustenburg Area and Bojanala District to have this highly specialised service at an economically acceptable standard; while enabling them a much improved quality of life. Patients will no longer have to travel far and outside the district or province. With the unfolding partnership with Medical University of South Africa (MEDUNSA) this is also a great opportunity for training of nurses in this specialty too.

The unit has been built and equipped to perform the critical service needed. It has been constructed such that it can accommodate at least 32 patients on chronic haemolialysis and possibly expand to 40 patients should the need arise. It provides significantly greater space, comfort and privacy for dialysis patients. Not only will this unit enhance the current level of care provided to patients on dialysis, it will also promote renewed enthusiasm amongst staff.

Speaking during the official opening, MEC Dr. Magome Masike said dialysis is a lifesaving technique for people with kidney function impairment.

Masike said that while the country is still battling to find its feet in terms of kidney donations, Dialysis treatment remains the best option to keep the kidney patients alive.

"We still need to prepare and given the anticipated growth in the demand for renal services, it is important that the necessary infrastructure is in place to meet the challenges ahead.

”A modern healthcare system which delivers high quality care is not only beneficial to individual citizens and their quality of life but is also one of the building blocks for economic development of the country as a whole,” Dr. Masike said.

Enquiries:
Tebogo Lekgethwane
Cell: 082 929 9958
E-mail: Tlekgethwane@nwpg.gov.za