GRAND CAYMAN, Cayman Islands – The ribbon was officially cut Wednesday at the new Dialysis Unit near the entrance to the Cayman Islands Hospital.

People who have malfunctioning kidneys and their families know that the service provided by the haemodialysis unit is crucial. This modern purpose-built facility is fully equipped to meet the specific needs of nine to 11 patients at a time.

“For the patients that are currently undergoing dialysis, this unit plays an integral role in their everyday lives,” said Health Minister Hon. Osbourne Bodden. “With the new advancements to the facility and scheduling, those patients will be able to accommodate dialysis treatments into their personal schedules, allowing them to lead as normal lives as possible.”

The Dialysis Unit serves local outpatients and inpatients, visitors and in-transit cruise ship passengers six days a week, Monday to Saturday, and a dialysis nurse is on call for emergencies.

“As comfortable and  beautiful as the unit may  be, I want to assure everyone that our long-term goal has been and will always be  to reduce the patient load in the unit by confronting  squarely the menacing epidemic of chronic kidney disease,” said Dr. Nelson Iheonunekwu.

In 1998 there were 10 dialysis patients in the Cayman Islands. In 2012 there were 52 patients on dialysis, representing a 420 per cent jump over a period of 15 years.

Dr. Nelson said diabetes and hypertension are the major drivers of chronic kidney disease in the Cayman Islands and have serious morbidity and mortality implications.

“In addition, they impose serious financial burdens on the individual and Government as treatment of CKD, including dialysis and transplant, is prohibitively costly. Fighting this disease should therefore be a priority,” he said.

Last year the Cayman Islands unveiled its National Health Policy and Strategic Plan for the Cayman Islands 2012-2017, which this Government and Ministry fully support.

One of the strategies under the Policy is to educate and empower residents to ensure the Cayman Islands has a health conscious population. To achieve this, the Ministry is committed to a comprehensive programme of life-long learning to educate the public on health and wellness.

Another strategy is to promote increased research for the production, dissemination and use of health relevant information, knowledge and scientific evidence for decision making. The objectives of this strategy are to develop a national research policy and establish a regulatory mechanism to conduct research.

“This second strategy will assist us to fulfil the objectives of the first. With research we will have the necessary data to develop education programmes to help people stay fit and healthy,” Minister Bodden said.

The new Dialysis Unit officially opened on 12 August and patients were able to transition from the previous location at the side entrance to the hospital to the Atrium without interruption.

The ribbon cutting of the Unit was the first official act for Albert Anderson in his new role of Chairman of the HSA Board of Directors.

“At the Health Services Authority we are committed to ensuring that all our patients receive a fully rounded service while striving to provide excellence in every area of service that we deliver. Because of this commitment, we continue to look at ways that we can improve how we deliver care to meet the needs of our patients,” said Mr. Anderson. “I believe that this new Dialysis Unit is a great example of how we have been able to improve the service to our patients.”

HSA has also recently started a home based dialysis programme in the form of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis, which offers the patient the chance to take control of his or her treatment, flexibility and independence and obviates the need to go for treatment three times a week.

PHOTOS

Health Minister Hon. Osbourne Bodden greets Victoria Scott in the new Dialysis Unit at the Cayman Islands Hospital.

Health Minister Hon. Osbourne Bodden talks to Jefferson Bodden in the new Dialysis Unit at the Cayman Islands Hospital.

Timing was fortuitous for the Dialysis Unit and organisers of Batabano who presented a cheque for the purchase of another dialysis machine at Wednesday evening’s grand opening of the Dialysis Unit. From left are HSA Board Chairman Albert Anderson, Health Minister Hon. Osbourne Bodden, Ms Donna Myrie of Batabano, Internist and Nephrologist Dr. Nelson Iheonunekwu, Dialysis Unit Nurse Manager Graham Tully and HSA CEO Lizzette Yearwood.