Haemodialysis unit, AMSA Renal Care celebrate world kidney day |10 March 2023

Mr Ajmal addressing the guests (Photo: Joena Meme)

The haemodialysis unit of the Seychelles Hospital and AMSA Renal Care yesterday hosted a short seminar to commemorate World Kidney Day under the theme ‘Kidney Health for All – Preparing for the unexpected, supporting the vulnerable’.

World Kidney Day is a worldwide health awareness campaign that is observed every year on the second Thursday of March which this year fell on March 9.

The aim of the seminar held at the Sheikh Khalifa Diagnostic Centre was to raise awareness on renal issues, involving prevention, diagnosis, management and treatment of complications for patients with kidney impairment.

Before the start of yesterday’s seminar, the Ministry of Education and the deaf centre, based at Mont Fleuri, each received a donation of R50,000 from the president of Dubai-based AMSA group, Abdulla Ajmal who is on a short visit to the country.

It was principal secretary for education services Merna Eulentin who accepted the cheque on behalf of the ministry while the head of the deaf centre, Anita Gardner, accepted on the institution’s behalf.

Raymond Cesar and Terrence Dingwall, winners of a radio quiz competition aired on Pure FM907 and Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation (SBC), were also presented with their prizes.

They were the only two winners among eight ‒ five on Pure FM 907 and three SBC AM ‒ who were present to collect their prizes.

Present at the donation and prize-giving ceremony were Indian High Commissioner to Seychelles Kartik Pande, chief executive of the Health Care Agency Dr Danny Louange, medical director of AMSA Renal Care Group - Dubai Dr Iyad Abu-Sharkh Abuward, chief financial officer of the AMSA Group Kuldeep Singh, acting nursing manager at the dialysis unit Flora Ahtion, seminar delegates from the Ministry of Health and AMSA Renal Care.

In his remarks, Mr Ajmal gave an overview of the creation of AMSA Renal Care, noting that since the medical institution took over the running of the haemodialysis unit here eight years ago, the relationship has been amazing, adding that he is also concerned with the increase in the number of renal care patients in the country which has doubled since they took over the responsibility.

He added that while they are available to provide services across the country to take care of the situation as much as possible, people should start taking precautions with regards to their health and to readjust their lifestyle, even if it is difficult to change.

He said renal disorder is predominant in the country due to the lifestyle.

“Our focus is on people who cannot afford the best services or the more expensive services, while we  want to provide the best services at the best cost possible, as for us profit is not important,” said Mr Ajmal who also noted that “precaution is better than cure”.

With regards to the two donations, he said it is important to donate to different parts of society, especially education, since that is where it all starts.

“That is where the kids are taught the kind of lifestyle they need to lead in the future,” added Mr Ajmal.

In her remarks, Ms Ahtion said although the renal services and haemodialysis care were not compromised during the pandemic, Covid-19 however brought along many challenges especially for the vulnerable group of population who had to deal with the risks of becoming infected while visiting health facilities or the suspension orcancellation of non-Covid-19 care due to health service capacity limits and lockdown policies.

“By having gone through the disastrous experience, the AMSA Renal Care and the haemodialysis staff remain committed and ever so prepared in maintaining a standard service level for all renal patients and for the population at large,” Ms Ahtion said.   

On his part, Indian High Commissioner Pande stressed on the need for increased awareness to reduce the number of people being affected with renal issues.

On behalf of the Ministry of Education, PS Eulentin said the money received will go towards the health and safety room programme for schools as first health examination point before children are transferred to health centres or the Seychelles Hospital for further medical attention.

She added that some of the money will also be used for health education programmes in schools.  

As for the deaf centre, Mrs Gardner said that the money will be used to improve the services offered.

The seminar was ran by Dr Abuward who talked about chronic kidney disease (past, present and future) while Dr Mahesh Kumar spoke about hospital acquired acute kidney injury.

Speaking to the press, Ms Ahtion said renal disorder is very alarming in the country and is mostly related to diabetes and hypertension.

She said more needs to be done to educate the public on renal issues and kidney care.

At the moment there are 189 patients on dialysis with 10 patients – nine on Praslin and one on La Digue ‒ receiving treatment on Praslin. 

 Patrick Joubert