MNH-Mloganzila opens kidney surgery camp

DAR ES SALAAM: MUHIMBILI National Hospital–Mloganzila has organised a special surgical camp to perform Arterio-Venous Fistula (AVF) creation procedures for approximately 60 patients with kidney complications.

The camp will run concurrently with kidney transplants for four patients from July 21 to 23 this year.

Speaking about the camping, MNH-Mloganzila Director of Surgical Services Dr Godlove Mfuko said that the kidney transplants will be performed using modern laparoscopic hand-assisted donor nephrectomy technology.

The procedure is one of the advanced procedures for harvesting kidneys from donors through small incisions, which, for now, is only available at MNHMloganzila within the country.

“The camp will be conducted by the hospital’s doctors in collaboration with a team of experts from South Korea led by Prof Park Kwan Tae, a renowned surgery specialist, and it is the programme that is coordinated by the Africa Future Foundation, a South Korean organisation,” said Dr Mfuko.

Dr Mfuko added that the camp will also be used to build capacity for around 35 specialists from various hospitals within and outside the country.

He said, “The goal is to equip them to provide similar services in their regions, reducing the burden on patients who now travel long distances for treatment.”

The World Health Organisation (WHO) said that transplantation is the most effective treatment for endstage kidney failure, yet many countries lack access due to regulatory, infrastructural and ethical challenges.

Tanzania is actively overcoming these hurdles. With the substantial prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD), the introduction of AV fistula creation and laparoscopic donor nephrectomy at MNH-Mloganzila marks a significant leap forward.

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This effort aligns with WHO priorities by investing in infrastructure, training professionals and enhancing access, offering hope and improved outcomes for hundreds affected by kidney disease in Tanzania and nearby regions.

MNH–Mloganzila began offering kidney transplant services in 2023 and to date. A total of 15 patients have benefited, all showing improved health compared to their previous conditions.