Hemodialysis: management problems in developing countries, with Nigeria as a surrogate

Abstract

The incidence of end-stage renal failure is increasing worldwide at an annual growth rate of 8%. Data for much of the developing world are often unavailable, but given the prevalence of poor socioeconomic factors, the incidence is likely to be greater. In Sub-Saharan Africa, economic and manpower factors dictate a conservative approach to therapy in most instances. The majority of those with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) perish because of the lack of funds, as very few can afford regular maintenance dialysis and renal transplantation is often not available. Hemodialysis (HD) remains the most common modality of management, with a very few units offering peritoneal dialysis (PD). Limitations to regular maintenance HD include the paucity of dialysis units, restriction of those units to urban centers, and the absence of government funding or subsidy and health insurance to cover the relatively high costs of dialysis. The few available units are bedeviled with multiple problems: old machines frequently break down, absence of adequate maintenance technical support and spare parts, and frequent power outages. Staff motivation and remuneration are equally poor with consequent disruption of services due to industrial action and emigration of trained staff to the Middle East and Western world. Present avenues for improvements include: focusing on prevention to stem the high prevalence of ESRD, greater government involvement to better fund units and thus enhance the quality of services rendered, and the wider availability of transplantation.