Close to 800 people have been diagnosed with kidney problems in Maun and surrounding areas since April 2025, as health authorities in the area reiterate the need for consistent medical-checkups.
Speaking at the at the 2nd decade World Kidney Day commemoration held in Maun recently, Doctor Larona Molatlhegi of Letsholathebe Memorial Hospital who specialises under Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) revealed that a total of 780 patients were diagnosed with kidney problems, 506 of which are women while 274 are men.
Molatlhegi added in that total, about 47 patients are awaiting bookings to start the dialysis treatment.
She said despite the shortage of machinery, specialists and facilities they still manage to assist and control kidney conditions. Molatlhegi mentioned that the dialysis service was introduced at Letsholathebe Hospital in 2023 through the collaboration of the hospital and Pholong Center for kidney diseases and dialysis.
She mentioned that there are currently 90 people receiving the dialysis service in Maun, stating 80 people are under hemodialysis, which entails the usage of the dialysis machine. According to her, the patients are attended to by 2 physicians, 1 nephrologist and 2 urologists at Letsholathebe Hospital 3 days a week.
Molatlhegi alluded there are 17 machines in place for those 80 people. She emphasized that the other 10 patients, of whom 2 are kids are under the peritoneal dialysis system. She says peritoneal dialysis involves the home-based care manual dialysis, where the patient is assisted by their caretakers.
Molatlhegi illustrated that there are certain signs and symptoms of kidney diseases including constant swelling, itching, asthma or heavy breathing. She mentioned that sometimes the symptoms remain invisible, adding this is quite common with Non- Communicable Diseases.
She cautioned that it is therefore crucial for residents to go for regular check- ups, even if they feel healthy and fit.
Meanwhile Sedika Modisaemang, a kidney patient averred to the concept of regularly seeking medical attention for early detection and diagnose.
He stated that he was diagnosed with kidney disease in June last year at Francistown Nyangabgwe Hospital, after he just collapsed at home.
Modisaemang stressed he never thought he might be living with a medical condition, considering himself fit and healthy. He highlighted that upon diagnose he was then admitted for hemodialysis right away. He testified that he has since been living a healthy and good life till date.
Kgosi Mokopi Banyatsang of Boseja Route 9 ward complained that most residents are reluctant to consistently going for medical check- ups, adding the ignorance is quite common with checking for non-communicable diseases such as Kidney diseases, High blood pressure, sugar diabetes and cancer.
Kgosi Banyatsang appreciated Ngami DHMT for bringing screening, medication and other medical services closer to residents through the commemoration, saying long queues and bookings at clinics and hospitals consume their time.
