Renal replacement therapy (RRT) in Rwanda: benefits, challenges and recommendations

ABSTRACT

Worldwide, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a global health problem as they contribute to approximately 60% of deaths. There is limited data on the management of NCDs including kidney diseases at all levels of health care delivery in Rwanda. Yet renal replacement therapy (RRT), which seems to be the only option to provide an acceptable quality of life to patients with end stage renal disease (ERSD), is yet to be well established in Rwanda. Although there are policies and guidelines on renal replacement modalities in Rwanda, inadequate human and financial resources in the area of nephrology care remains a challenge. The purpose of the paper is to document an overview of kidney diseases and Renal Replacement Therapy (RRT) in Rwanda and highlight the benefits, challenges and recommendations to provide future directions for nephrology care. Improved knowledge about renal conditions and their risk factors is the initial step to create major interventions for improved kidney quality of life (KQoL) among patients with end stage renal disease. Notwithstanding, the Government of Rwanda has established several dialysis centers intended to provide services and for maintenance of the health status of patients with renal conditions. Further studies are necessary to provide evidence on the outcomes of RRT