The National Kidney Foundation clinic will relocate to where the isolation ward is located in the national hospital vicinity, due to the increase of patients.
This was confirmed by the Minister of Health Valasi Tafito Selesele in Parliament during the deliberation of the $960 million budget for the upcoming financial year 2022-2023.
The Minister was responding to concerns and queries by Members of Parliament over the “poor conditions” of the NKF.
Valasi emphasized that the NKF will be relocated to its new premises in October this year. Adding the equipment currently in operation for both main hospitals, as there are 22 machines at Tupua Tamasese Meaole hospital and nine machines that are being used at Tausivi Hospital.
The Minister said there are nurses, engineers, and those that specialize in fixing and operating these machines to ensure maintenance is up to par.
At the moment there are 165 patients undergoing dialysis with four patients receiving treatment daily.
Valasi further explained the increasing number of people admitted for dialysis and the numbers continue to increase each year.
Members of Parliament heard there are approximately 500 people that have been confirmed of needing dialysis treatment, however, they are in denial, and some refuse the treatment until it is too late.
The Minister reassured Parliament the building has been renovated.
Furthermore, the Minister said in September, engineers from Germany will arrive to service and operate the dialysis machines/equipment.
