RSUTH Moves to Expand Access to Specialized Renal Care

By George OPARA

Management of the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital RSUTH has resolved to expand access to specialized renal care.

The institution’s Chief Medical Director, Professor Chizindu Alikor, disclosed this at the maiden edition of RSUTH Kidney Day, an event that marked the unveiling of state-of-the-art renal services aimed at transforming kidney care in the state nay, the Niger Delta region.

The medical director, therefore, called for urgent action to address kidney disease, which he described as a “global public health emergency.”

He emphasized the hospital’s commitment to addressing the growing burden of kidney disease, noting, “The reality of kidney disease truly has shifted. It’s no longer a niche medical concern, but a full-scale global public health emergency that demands our immediate attention.”

Alikor who said the occasion was a turning point in RSUTH’s medical services, highlighted the hospital’s technological advancements, including Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy, CRRT, and automated peritoneal dialysis.

In his words, “We can now offer continuous, stabilized renal intervention for patients facing complex conditions, including in setting of severe electrolyte derangement, even in setting of heart failure”.

He added that the launch was more than just unveiling equipment, but the beginning of a new era of clinical excellence that underscores RSUTH’s mission to expand access to specialized renal care.

Further, Dr. Eleki Beniboba, Head of the Renal Centre at RSUTH, outlined the operational impact of the new services, stressing their importance for both adult and pediatric patients.

She said the expansion represents “a major shift towards a more inclusive, sustainable, and compassionate model of kidney care here at RSUTH.”

Beniboba highlighted the benefit of automated peritoneal dialysis for children with acute kidney injury, stating, “For our children who come with different forms of kidney disease of particular interest, the acute kidney injury, this expansion represents a life-changing opportunity.”