The Minister of Public Health, Manaouda Malachie, inaugurated the haemodialysis centre at Laquintinie Hospital in Douala on September 29.

The new facility, which is said to be better equipped, is expected to bring relief to patients with kidney failure who have been struggling to receive treatment at the haemodialysis unit of the Douala General Hospital (the only public centre operating in Douala). The construction of this new centre comes at a time when Cameroon routinely faces a lack of dialysis kits at public centres for the treatment of kidney failure.

This has led to repeated angry demonstrations by patients throughout the country. Haemodialysis is the only form of kidney replacement therapy available in Cameroon. It has been 95% subsidised by the state since 2002, and the number of dialysis centres is growing. The Ministry of Health has stated that the construction and equipping of this new infrastructure is part of the ongoing implementation of the national strategy to improve access to quality health services.

This dialysis service or centre will diagnose and treat kidney disease and provide nephrological consultations.

“This new initiative is an extension of the work already being done in the health sector. The ultimate goal is to alleviate the suffering of patients by providing adequate, quality care in public health facilities,” says Manaouda Malachie. He assures that this centre will strengthen the health services and ensure better care for patients suffering from kidney failure.