![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thefocuspaper.co.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/FB_IMG_1782039952104-1024x682.jpg\")
“Among critically ill newborns, the numbers can be even higher. Severe cases require dialysis and, without timely treatment, the consequences can be fatal,” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Peritoneal dialysis uses the lining of the abdomen to filter waste products and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys are temporarily unable to function. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The treatment supports patients until kidney function recovers.The procedure involved a multidisciplinary team of paediatricians, surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses and theatre staff. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A dialysis catheter was inserted before treatment began in the hospital’s neonatal high-dependency unit.Although the baby remains in critical condition, doctors say there are encouraging signs of improvement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr Mollah attributed the achievement to reforms implemented after JOOTRH was elevated to a national referral hospital and state corporation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“We identified gaps in specialised services and invested in training doctors, nurses, surgeons and anaesthetists to ensure we could safely provide advanced care,” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The development comes as Kenya’s Ministry of Health expands the Every Woman Every Newborn Everywhere (EWENE) initiative, which aims to reduce maternal and newborn deaths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Neonatologist Dr Sharon Charo said many cases of acute kidney injury in newborns could be prevented through adequate breastfeeding, hydration and infection prevention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She urged parents to monitor their babies’ urine output closely, describing reduced urination as one of the earliest warning signs of kidney injury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “A healthy newborn should produce six to eight wet diapers within 24 hours. Parents should seek medical attention immediately if they notice a significant reduction,” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dr Charo identified inadequate breastfeeding and neonatal infections as the leading causes of acute kidney injury among newborns in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Exclusive breastfeeding provides the best protection. Adequate feeding prevents dehydration, while good hygiene helps reduce infections, both of which are major causes of kidney injury in newborns,” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Private neonatal dialysis treatment can cost between Sh200,000 and Sh300,000, making the availability of the service in a public hospital a significant relief for many families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The new capability is expected to benefit patients across counties within the Lake Region Economic Bloc, as well as referrals from neighbouring Uganda and Tanzania, strengthening JOOTRH’s role as a regional centre for specialised neonatal and paediatric kidney care.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A 17-day-old baby with acute kidney injury has become the first newborn in western Kenya to undergo peritoneal dialysis at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH), marking a significant milestone in specialised neonatal care. The procedure, carried out this week, makes JOOTRH the first hospital in the Lake Region to offer neonatal peritoneal […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":24769,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[69,26],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24768","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-health"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thefocuspaper.co.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/FB_IMG_1782039948603-1024x682.jpg\")