Free Dialysis for poor patients in Pakistan

Assalam-o-Alaikum and Ramadan Kareem!

I hope you're doing good.

Ramadan is the month of blessings for Muslims around the globe. During a fast, one has to abstain from food and drinks from dawn to sunset. Fasting is not just a ritual, but it is done to purify our inner self, body and soul alike. It reminds us to feel the hunger of the poor and the thirst of those who have no or limited access to clean water. Fasting for the whole month does seem like a difficult task but trust me, Muslims crave Ramadan. Patients, the elderly, travellers, little children, etc., can skip the fast, but they miss fasting as much as they miss a loved one. It gets difficult for parents to convince their children and for physicians to persuade their patients from abstaining fast. 

According to a research study published in 2021 in Clinical Kidney Journal, "Fasting can be especially challenging in patients on haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Moreover, there is concern that those with chronic kidney disease (CKD) can experience electrolyte imbalance and worsen renal function."

Seminar on World Kidney Day

The theme for this year's World Kidney Day was "kidney Health for All", but since Ramdan was near the corner, our senior-most speakers also decided to address the effects and management of fasting in CKD patients. This public awareness seminar was a hit, and the audience found it informative and interesting. The speakers included two renowned consultants, Dr Obaid Hashmi and Dr Beenish Imam.

Treatment Summary for the Past Quarter

Dialysis Sessions - 739

Erythropoietin Injections - 285

Iron Sucrose Injections - 100

We will continue to send you more exciting updates from the field. Till then, stay hydrated and take care of your kidneys. 

Links:

• Find Al-Mustafa on Google
• Research Article by Clinical Kidney Journal

Dear friends, this is our first report on this project. Before we dive into the details of the report, I'd like to give you a brief history and introduction of the Al-Mustafa Dialysis Unit.  

History

The Al-Mustafa Hospital has an expert team of healthcare providers all over the hospital and the dialysis unit. The Dialysis Unit was established in the Year 1998 with few machines, and approximately 2331 sessions of dialysis were carried out in the same year. 

OBJECTIVES:

• To provide a pleasant environment and treatment with respect and dignity.
• To promote education and awareness of renal health by arranging different activities: like free medical camps, awareness programs, seminars, workshops, etc.
• To Provide equal quality of care to everyone irrespective of age, gender, race, socioeconomic status and religion.

Dialysis Team:

In our Unit, under the supervision of Dr Khurram Danyal (Consultant Nephrologist), an experienced RMO and a team of qualified technical nursing staff are providing the best treatment and care for the CKD patients requiring dialysis. The treatment is free of cost and has been continued during the pandemic. 

Equipment

You must be aware that dialysis treatment mainly depends on the dialyzers and a highly expert tech team. To keep the dialyzers in their best working conditions, we have a Renatron Machine that helps clean dialyzers. The Unit also has its standard-sized RO-Plant that provides water to the Dialysis machines. A culture and sensitivity test of the water is performed from the PCSIR  Laboratories (Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research) every six months.  

Services

The patients are given the following services in addition to dialysis. 

Investigations:
Hb
Creatinine
Calcium
Potassium
Phosphorus

Medication:
Erythropoietin Injections
Iron Sucrose Injections

Refreshment:
According to health standards, a healthy diet is provided during dialysis.

Public Awareness

At Al-Mustafa Welfare Society's Healthcare division tries to treat different diseases. Still, we also believe in playing an active role in spreading awareness about the prevention and management of diseases. In this regard, Al-Mustafa's Public Awareness Campaign Managers frequently arrange Seminars and CMEs regarding awareness and prevention of renal diseases and also celebrate World Kidney Day every year on the 2nd Thursday of March. 

Treatment Summary of the Past Quarter

Dialysis Sessions 553

Erythropoietin Injections 227

Iron Sucrose Injections  90

We will continue to send you updates in the coming months.