Region Three patients get support as dialysis demand grows

Kidney failure is projected to become the fifth leading cause of death worldwide by 2040. Against this backdrop, the Ameena Gafoor Medical and Dialysis Centre in Parika on Thursday received monetary donations to support patients undergoing life-saving treatment.

Among them is Frederick, a Region Three (Essequibo Islands–West Demerara) resident whose life now depends on dialysis. Diagnosed with diabetes at age 34, he admitted that neglecting the illness led to kidney failure.

“When I was told I have to go on dialysis I cried like a child. I had to leave all my business because some of my business was away from home. It was too late. Don’t allow your disease to be chronic. I was so careless, I was young,” the man said on Thursday.

His warning comes as Guyana joins the global observance of World Kidney Day 2026, held under the theme Kidney Health for All: Caring for People and Protecting the Planet.

Frederick is among patients receiving dialysis at the Parika centre and was present at the De Kinderen Regional Hospital on Thursday, where the donation was officially handed over.

The funds will support the patients who pay $15,000 per session for a total of $45,000 weekly. Dialysis is required when the kidneys can no longer filter waste and toxins from the blood.

As of December 2025, some 655 patients were recorded to be on dialysis across Guyana, highlighting growing concerns about kidney disease nationwide. Regional Health Officer, Dr. Fiaaz Hassan, noted that for many years dialysis treatment was only accessible at private facilities. However, this is set to change with in-patient care at the hospital in coming months.

Dr. Hassan stressed that early diagnosis is critical and urged healthcare workers to prioritise screening.

“For you to understand the screen for kidney failure, there are certain urine tests, studies that will give you an indication of your kidney’s status,” Dr. Hassan said.

The visiting Lesser Antilles Medical Assistance Team (LAMAT) 2026 mission, led by the U.S. Air Forces Southern, are currently at the hospital providing support for kidney treatment among other specialties.

During the programme, doctors also highlighted the misinformation surrounding medications like metformin and patients neglecting to adopt lifestyle changes when diagnosed with hypertension, diabetes, obesity which are leading contributors to kidney disease in Guyana.

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