Wajir County is facing an escalating health emergency, as cases of kidney failure surge, overwhelming the region’s already strained healthcare system.
At Wajir Referral Hospital, medical professionals are raising alarm over the growing burden on the Renal Unit, which is struggling to cope with an influx of patients in need of life-saving dialysis.
The Hospital’s Renal Unit, which became operational in 2019, has recorded 79 cases of kidney failure in recent months.
However, due to limited capacity, only 31 patients receive treatment at the facility, while 48 others must rely on expensive private dialysis services.
According to Mohamed Adow, a researcher and nutritionist at the hospital, the rising number of cases has forced many patients to seek treatment outside the County, placing additional financial and emotional stress on their families.
“Most of our patients are battling diabetes and high blood pressure, the primary causes of kidney failure. Unfortunately, many fail to take their medication as prescribed, exacerbating their condition,” Adow explained.
He urged residents to take proactive measures, including regular health check-ups and lifestyle changes such as proper nutrition and exercise, to prevent the onset of kidney disease.
Dr Samira Rashid, a physician at the Wajir Referral Hospital, described the situation as dire and called for urgent intervention.
“Kidney failure is a silent epidemic. By the time symptoms appear, the damage is often irreversible. Once the kidneys shut down, patients are left with only two options: dialysis or a transplant, both of which are costly and, in many cases, inaccessible,” she warned.
Statistics from the hospital indicate that out of the 79 patients currently receiving dialysis, 58 are male and 21 are female.
Additionally, 60 of these patients have a history of hypertension, while eight have been diagnosed with diabetes.
The rising number of cases has placed a severe strain on the county’s healthcare system, leaving many unable to access consistent treatment.
Among the affected individuals is Ahmed Mohamed, a 30-year-old father of six, who has been battling kidney failure since 2018.
Before the establishment of the Dialysis Unit in Wajir, he was forced to travel to Nairobi for treatment, a process that strained his family financially.
“The cost was overwhelming. I had no choice, but to make the painful trips, but at least now I can receive treatment in Wajir,” he shared.
Health experts have pointed to several factors fueling the crisis; in addition to diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, poor dietary habits and concerns about the quality of water in Wajir are considered contributory aspects.
The County relies heavily on underground water sources, which contain high levels of minerals, including lead known to have toxic effects on the kidneys.
Experts fear that prolonged consumption of contaminated water may be a significant contributor to the rising number of kidney failure cases.
More alarmingly, young people, including school-aged children are increasingly being diagnosed with kidney disease.
However, many residents remain in denial, delaying essential medical care. Halima Hussein, a kidney patient, regrets not taking her condition seriously earlier.
“When I was diagnosed with high blood pressure, I ignored my medication. Now, after four years on dialysis, I understand the cost of that mistake. People always tell me, ‘If only you had taken your medication properly, you wouldn’t be here today.’ I urge everyone to take their health seriously before it’s too late,” Halima says.
