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Cross regional fellowship training links Kenya and South Africa

SN Fellow John Mutiso, from Makueni County Referral Hospital in Kenya spent a year under the mentorship of Graham Paget at Charlotte Maxeke, Johannesburg Academic Hospital, University of Witwatersrand in South Africa. Clinical nephrology was his chosen subject of study.

About nephrology in Kenya, Dr. Mutiso explains that significant strides in kidney care has been made in the region. He says: ‘At the moment, most of the 47 counties in the country are able to offer hemodialysis. Our politicians and policy makers need to know that kidney care is beyond hemodialysis. We need to invest in research, preventive nephrology, peritoneal dialysis and kidney transplantation.’

Over the period of a year, he was able to get the training he required to insert different catheters, including tunneled and non-tunneled for hemodialysis as well as peritoneal dialysis. He also learned about renal sonography and renal biopsies.

Mutiso explains: ‘My training was comprehensive and self directed. During my training, I was also involved in the teaching of both undergraduate and post graduate students. I interacted with Nephrology PhD students and that has positively impacted my views on research, health planning and policy formulation.’

This knowledge and the skills he acquired are crucial for him to transform the practice of nephrology in his county and Kenya. ‘My hopes were to have direct patient contact, make clinical decisions, do clinical procedures and above all become adept in nephrology. I am happy that my hopes and aspirations were met.’

Dr. Mutiso has already set up a renal clinic at the county hospital. In addition, he hopes to ask the county government to avail funds to carry out research in the community. He adds: ‘We also want to ensure that our patients are getting quality hemodialysis.’

The ISN Fellowship program provides relevant and contemporary nephrology training to physicians from emerging countries, with the ultimate goal of improving the standards of care in the Fellows’ home countries upon their return and to help them become leaders in their fields. Deadline for applications is May 1st, 2019. Apply HERE.

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