KINGSTON, Jamaica - Three new Haemodialysis machines have been added to the Renal Unit at the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH).

In a release to the media today, the The South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA) said that they purchased the machines, as well as a Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System, for at a cost of over $100,000. The equipment was purchased through a grant from the CHASE Fund.

Lyttleton Shirley, chairman of the SERHA Board, which has responsibility for KPH, said the additional machines were purchased to not only support the growing demand for dialysis service, but also to ensure that the Renal Unit functions optimally.

“The Region recognises that there is a great demand for Haemodialysis services, and there is an extensive waiting list for patients at KPH. Therefore, the additional machines are expected to assist with the continuity of care, as there should be less disruptions to treatment schedules if a machine is being serviced or malfunctions,” he said.

Currently 93 patients are dialysed twice per week at KPH.

The three new machines bring to 20 the total number of Haemodialysis machines in the Renal Unit at KPH.

In 2009, SERHA partnered with the National Health Fund (NHF) to equip the Renal Unit with 17 new Haemodialysis machines. At that time, the NHF contributed US$314,000 to purchase the equipment valued at US$386,000. Those machines replaced older units which had exhausted their years of use.