The Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN) has called on government to gradually expand dialysis centers to more districts across the country in order to improve access to life-saving treatment for patients with kidney disease.
MHEN says the expansion should prioritize underserved areas such as the Lower Shire, Balaka, and Karonga where patients currently struggle to access specialized kidney care.
Speaking following the commemoration of World Kidney Day, MHEN Executive Director George Jobe said kidney disease remains a growing public health concern in Malawi, with many patients facing challenges in accessing dialysis services.
“Kidney disease is often described as a silent killer because it can progress without noticeable symptoms until it reaches advanced stages, indicating that many Malawians remain undiagnosed, and access to specialized kidney care such as dialysis remains limited and costly.” said Jobe.
Jobe emphasized that expanding dialysis centres to districts such as the Lower Shire, Balaka, Nkhotakota and Karonga would help reduce the burden on major referral hospitals while allowing patients to receive treatment closer to their homes.
“Gradually expanding dialysis services will ensure that more patients access treatment without travelling long distances, which is often costly and difficult for many families,” he added.
Jobe further stressed that while expanding treatment facilities is important, prevention remains the most effective way to reduce the burden of kidney disease.
“Early screening, healthy lifestyles and regular medical check-ups are critical in preventing kidney disease and ensuring that those affected receive timely care,” he said.
According to the Ministry of Health through a press statement more than 500 patients are currently receiving dialysis treatment at major referral hospitals in the country. However, health authorities stress that early detection remains critical since kidney disease often presents symptoms only at advanced stages.
Globally, the ministry says kidney diseases affect about 850 million people, with Chronic Kidney Disease projected to become the fifth leading cause of years of life lost by 2040.
Health officials at the ministry have also warned that cases of chronic kidney disease are rising partly due to environmental factors such as heat stress, dehydration, air pollution and extreme weather conditions.
Currently, dialysis services in Malawi are mainly available at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital and Kamuzu Central Hospital, forcing some patients to travel long distances for treatment.
Authorities are therefore urging people to adopt preventive measures such as maintaining a healthy diet, reducing salt intake and seeking early medical screening, particularly for individuals living with diabetes and hypertension.
