MUSCAT — Renal failure is a serious health problem and it is one of the key challenges facing the healthcare system in the Sultanate.
Statistics show that around 3,340 renal failure patients have reached the end-stage kidney failure from 1983 till 2010. Out of this 1,620 have survived with 898 patients undergoing dialysis on regular basis while 780 others have had kidney transplantation. On an average, 100-110 out of one million Omanis are infected with this disease yearly.
The Health Ministry has set up dialysis centres across the Sultanate providing both peritoneal dialysis and blood dialysis. These units have been furnished with well-qualified medical staff and technicians to ensure quality medical services to the patients.
According to the ministry’s policy, the patients start medical treatment at general hospitals until their conditions stabilise and then transferred to dialysis centres where they have three weekly visits after having arterial lines fixed.
Kidney failure patients with HIV or Hepatitis C or B are isolated from other patients in quarantines where they are provided special medical care. Kidney failure patients are vaccinated against Hepatitis B and flu and they also undergo regular check-ups.
There are 17 dialysis centres across the Sultanate with 184 beds. Most of these centres have three shifts so that they can cater to the ever increasing number of patients. The centres undergo periodical maintenance and clean-up operations as well as monthly tests for early detection of bacterial presence in water units. Desalinated water at the dialysis centres is regularly checked to ensure that the average of salt, aluminium and other substances meet international standards. The centres apply strict hygienic measures to keep infectious diseases at bay.
A special clinic was set up in 2005 at the Royal Hospital to conduct medical tests pertaining to kidney transplantation as well as conducting diagnostic and clinical check-ups to the donors to decide on their medical fitness and compatibility with the receivers. Kidney transplantation operations are free at the Royal Hospital by specialised and highly-qualified surgeons. A special team follows up the condition of the patients after the surgery for up to 15 days after which the patients visit the clinic for periodical check-ups.
The Health Ministry continuously strives to increase the number of dialysis machines at all centres in order to keep up with the increasing number of patients. It also endeavours to provide various kinds of medical services rendered at all centres and makes sure that these services are up to the latest developments in the field.

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