CHALLENGES OF RENAL REPLACEMENT THERAPY IN NIGERIA: SOLUTIONS FROM MEDICAL STUDENTS' PERSPECTIVES

During our posting at the Renal Unit, Department of Medicine, University College Hospital, Ibadan, we observed numerous difficulties encountered by patients requiring renal replacement therapy and the family members/caregivers of these patients. These are broadly categorized into patents' related challenges, institutional inadequacies, infrastructural challenges, policy, and funding issues.

Patients' challenges are poor health-seeking habits culminating in late diagnosis in advanced uremic state and poor economic status resulting in catastrophic out-of-pocket spending. Institutional and infrastructural challenges include epileptic power supply in the dialysis unit, a lack of necessary materials needed for dialysis, among others. Policy issues included the absence of an organ donor system and regulations guiding them. More importantly, there is insufficient support from the government concerning patients with end-stage kidney disease.

Tackling the management of end-stage kidney disease would require paying attention to and addressing these challenges.