FELLOWSHIP IN CLINICAL NEPHROLOGY

Chronic Kidney Diseases are emerging as a major global health problem with heavy morbidity and mortality with its associated social and economic burden. They are the 12th cause of death and the 17th cause of disability, respectively with approximately 850,000 deaths every year (WHO report 2008)

The Eastern and Central Africa region is experiencing great need for the scientific base for knowledge and skills for the practice of urology and nephrology. The East and Africa states through the Africa Development Bank agreed to set up the East Africa Kidney Institute (EAKI) as a regional centre of excellence to address the need. The University of Nairobi/Kenyatta National Hospital will serve as the lead institutions and is mandated to build capacity in research, training, clinical and preventive services in urology and nephrology for both faculty and service providers. 

In Kenya, it is currently estimated that 10,000 people develop end stage renal disease out of which only 1,000 (10%) access medical care. Of these, only 250 undergo dialysis at Kenyatta National Hospital with approximately 50 receiving transplantation annually, thus approximately 200 people go to for transplantation outside the country. In line with the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 Article 43 (1) (a) there is therefore, an urgent need for an increase in capacity building at county level for service provision. This falls within the mandate of East Africa Kidney Institute.

In line with this mandate, EAKI has developed Fellowship courses to address skills gap for the healthcare providers (HCPs) at the county and Nation wide level.