Dialysis Machines DownThe Herald (Harare)
NEWS
18 September 2007
By Bulawayo Bureau
Harare
THE two dialysis machines which hundreds of people with renal failure in Bulawayo and surrounding areas rely on have broken down again putting the lives of patients at risk.
The machines broke down last week, less than two months after they were repaired.
Kidney failure patients from Matabeleland North and South, Midlands and Masvingo provinces are the worst affected as they have not had any dialysis sessions since the machines broke down last week. A patient who refused to be named said he feared for his life as he could not do other activities because his body was swollen.
"We have not been dialysed at all for more than two weeks. Right now I cannot work or do other activities because my body is swollen from fluid retention.
"We are going to die if nothing is done about the situation very soon," he said.
The hospital's chief executive officer, Dr Lindiwe Mlilo, confirmed that the dialysis machines broke down last week.
"The two dialysis machines that were working broke down last week. Our technicians have failed to repair them.
"Patients who need dialysis are being referred to Mater Dei hospital."
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