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Dialysis patients in Guyana surge tenfold in five years
– numbers move from 63 to more than 600 in five years
(Kaieteur News) – The number of persons requiring dialysis care in Guyana has skyrocketed over the past five years, increasing from just 63 patients in 2020 to over 600 by 2025.
Dr. Shanti Singh, Chairperson of the Human Organ and Tissue Transplant Agency (HOTTA), revealed the alarming figures during a research study dissemination event at the Pegasus Hotel on Thursday. “In 2020, there were 63 persons receiving dialysis in the country. By 2021, that number doubled to 129, rose to 322 in 2022, 428 in 2023, and as of yesterday, more than 600 people are undergoing dialysis,” Dr. Singh disclosed. She stressed that the data indicates a sharp rise in chronic kidney failure diagnoses across the nation.
Chairperson of the Human Organ and Tissue Transplant Agency (HOTTA), Dr. Shanti Singh.
She said that the objective of the event is to update the public on the progress on efforts made the HOTTA. According to Dr. Singh, the aim of the research study report dissemination event to present key findings from recent studies and highlight critical findings on Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), Hemodialysis, and Transplantation Care.
The research focused on knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to CKD hemodialysis, and kidney transplantation among patients and caregivers in Guyana.
The study provided invaluable insights into the perceptions, understanding, and lived experiences of those affected, offering a clearer picture of national gaps and needs in kidney health and treatment support systems.
During the one-day forum, presenters explored major thematic areas including, “The Silent Epidemic: Understanding Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), Socio-demographic Factors, and Knowledge Levels,” as well as “Socio-demographic Factors, Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices on Hemodialysis Therapy.”
A synthesis of the research findings and their implications was also shared. A major focus of the presentation was raising awareness about kidney disease and CKD prevention, early detection and screening.
Dr. Shanti noted that there was campaign develop to demonstrate how early detection can prevent CKD. “There were a number of videos and a number of posters all geared towards the general public but we also had some geared towards physicians who are in the primary care settings, mostly for patients with kidney disease to help them to be able identify CKD in its early stage.”
The Human Organ and Tissue Transplant Agency (HOTTA), hosted a presentation a research study dissemination event at the Pegasus hotel on Thursday.
The HOTTA Chair explained that concerns were raised at the growing number of persons being diagnosed with Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and many of them being admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation needing dialysis.
Dr. Singh noted that there is a link between NCDs and CKD.
Alluding to data from the Pan American Health Organisation PAHO, Dr. Singh noted that cardio vascular disease account for NCD deaths, followed by cancers, respiratory illnesses and diabetes annually.
Other presenters at the event were Dr. Sondia Gordon, CEO of the HOTTA Secretariat; Dr. Baldeo Singh; Dr. Pedro Lewis; Dr. Winsome Scott; and Dr. Navindranauth Rambaran, all serving as members of the Agency among other participants. The Speakers delivered in-depth discussions on the data, highlighting emerging trends, current gaps, and opportunities to strengthen Guyana’s response to CKD while improving patient outcomes, education, and access to life-saving care.
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“Dialysis patients in Guyana surge tenfold in five years”
This conference is very informative.
The Guyana Ministry of Health and the Government should put more resource and emphasis on preventative than curative medicine. It appears that the
I read some where that Guyana have the more limb amputation, than other Caribbean countries.
It appears that President Ali announced cash grant to each patient for Dialysis treatment is not working.
The Guyana Government and the Ministry of Health can and must expand and improve all the Health Centre Services with increase staff, medication, including 6 dialysis equipment and beds for each Health Centre, especially in the rural area of Guyana. For a start, remember that Dr. Cheddie Jagan led PPP government in the 1960s build Rural Health Centre in most of the District in Guyana, use them.
God Bless
Have a nice day.