Dialysis

The Jamal Memorial Trust Hospital will house a state of the art Dialysis department. Dialysis is the process of cleansing the blood in the body when the kidneys do not function properly. When functioning well, the kidneys filter waste, excess fluid and toxins out of the blood and turn these into urine. If the kidneys are not working correctly, the waste products can build up to dangerous levels in the body, causing serious side effects for the patient, and can even lead to death.

The kidneys may stop working effectively if a person suffers from Chronic Kidney Disease, which can be caused by high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, or certain medications. Often, the damage done to kidneys is manageable, and kidneys can recover very well, allowing many sufferers to lead normal lives. Sometimes, a kidney transplant is needed. Dialysis can be used temporarily, or until a donor is found, if necessary. In some circumstances, a kidney transplant is not possible, in which case Dialysis can be done for the rest of the person’s life.

Living with Kidney Disease can make a person feel exhausted, sick, and breathless. In severe cases, a transplant is vital, but Dialysis can maintain the life of the patient whilst a donor is found.

Haemodialysis is the most common form of Dialysis. Blood is taken out of one arm through a needle, passed through a machine to filter it, and put back into the body via the other arm. The whole process can take around 4 hours and usually only needs doing a few times a week. When the patients isn’t having Dialysis, they can lead a normal life and usually only need to come to the hospital to be treated.

Another form of Dialysis is Peritoneal Dialysis, where a tube is left in the patient’s stomach, which has a rich lining that can also be used as a filter. Overnight, the patient’s blood is pumped through the stomach lining to cleanse it. This can leave a person feeling exhausted and has to be done every night, but during the day the patient can lead a normal life and does not have to make frequent tript to the hospital.

Currently, in Pakistan, there are around 20 million people suffering with Kidney Disease. The risks of getting Kidney Disease can be reduced by maintaining a healthy life and weight, not smoking and taking regular exercise.

The Jamal Memorial Trust Hospital will have state of the art Dialysis facilities where patients can be treated by caring doctors and nurses, in spacious, well ventilated rooms with lots of natural light. What’s more, patients needing lifesaving Dialysis treatment will not have to make the arduous journey to Multan or Lahore.