Pacific / Samoa

Samoa planning big expansion in dialysis treatment

15:11 pm on 22 November 2018

The Samoa National Kidney Foundation will increase its dialysis units to 60 by next year to meet the projected increase in patients with late stage kidney failure.

Photo: 123RF

The Minster of Health Tuitama Talalelei Tuitama said the government had also approved the relocation of the Foundation to bigger premises, the Samoa Observer reported.

The foundation now has 27 dialysis units following the presentation of five new units by the Rotary Club of Samoa this week.

Currently 110 patients need dialysis in Upolu alone, with another 12 patients in Savai'i.

The minister said there were approximately 300 people in the 'pre-dialysis' stage awaiting treatment.

The Foundation general manager Mulipola Lose Hazelman said it had no option but to expand.

"We have a big problem with NCDs in this country," he said.