Zimbabwe has the lowest kidney doctor to patient ratio and there is only 1 kidney doctor for more than 1 million population. There is also scarcity of essential services to diagnose and treat kidney failure patient. For example, patients’ in Bulawayo have to travel 450 km for a kidney biopsy and there are only handful of patients on peritoneal dialysis in entire country. Peritoneal dialysis can be done at home and patient can continue to earn their livelihoods.

The Renal in Derby have been given an amazing opportunity to travel to Zimbabwe to deliver renal education and clinical skills to the sub-Saharan country. We are planning to take a small team of three people for what we hope will be the first of many visits and exchanges. We plan to teach how to perform kidney biopsy and place peritoneal dialysis catheter and start peritoneal dialysis at Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

The team will consist of Renal Consultant Dr Nitin Kolhe, Renal Dialysis Senior Sister Carol Rhodes and Ward 407 Senior Sister Claire McGuire who are all very passionate about renal education and training.

We have been very lucky to have been given funding for two of our team from the International Society for Nephrology, and we are raising money for the other member. This is so we are able to cover all aspects of renal nursing, clinical skills and knowledge. We have a few fundraising ideas planned and hope to raise the money as soon as possible so we can confirm our travel arrangements.
We are planning to travel to Zimbabwe in March 2020. This will also coincide with the Renal Service’s 50th Anniversary celebrations.
We are hoping to raise £1500, any excess raised would be used to take resources and equipment.

#TeamRenal