Only Three Machines Functional, Patients Deferred
By Ishmail Saidu Kanu
The 2024 Auditor General’s Report has revealed serious operational and capacity challenges at the Dialysis Centre of Connaught Teaching Hospital, raising concerns about the quality and continuity of kidney care services.
According to the report, the Dialysis Centre, which provides life-saving treatment for patients with kidney disease, is operating with limited equipment.
Of the four dialysis machines procured in 2016, only three were functional at the time of the audit. The fourth machine has remained out of service since 2023 due to the unavailability of a specific spare part.
The report further disclosed that, due to their age, each machine can operate for only about eight hours daily. With a single dialysis session lasting approximately four hours per patient, each machine can serve only two patients per day.
Auditors noted instances where between eight and ten patients reported for dialysis in a single day, but only six could be treated. The remaining patients were asked to return the following day, a situation described as posing serious health risks and disrupting continuity of care.
In addition to equipment challenges, the Auditor General pointed out concerns over staff capacity. There was no evidence of regular or recent training for staff in the operation and maintenance of dialysis machines.
The absence of continuous training, the report noted, could affect operational efficiency, equipment safety, and the long-term sustainability of the dialysis service.
The report has triggered renewed demands for immediate action to fix or replace worn-out dialysis equipment and to provide continuous training for dialysis staff, aimed at improving care and preventing avoidable risks to patients at the country’s premier referral hospital.
