OUR MISSION
Halt the progression of kidney disease through continuous research, early detection and focused health management programmes accessible to all South Africans.
KIDNEY PROTECT CLINICS
As reported in the South African Renal registry’s 2015 annual report, published in 2017, the number of people treated for End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) is steadily increasing year on year. In 2013, 167 people in every million, were treated for ESRD, in 2014, 178 people and in 2015, 189 people per million population (pmp). In a population of 54.96 million, 10 360 patients were treated for ESRD.
The increase in the number of patients, is mainly in the private sector (799.3 pmp), whereas the number of patients in the public sector (71.9 pmp), which is 84% of the South African population, remains at similar levels reported in 1994. This means access to kidney treatment in the public sector remains underserved. The disparity between the public and private sectors continues to grow.
The following table published in the South African Renal registry’s 2015 annual report:
| Public | Private | |
|---|---|---|
| Population in millions | 46.15 | 8.81* |
| ESRD patients on treatment | 3 318 | 7 042 |
| Treatment rate (pmp) | 71.9 | 799.3 |
If one applied the treatment rate per million population applicable to the private sector, to the entire population, approximately 43 929 people (.08% of the population) would require ESRD treatment, of which approximately 36 887 people would in the public sector. Only approximately 10 387 people are currently receiving treatment.
Chronic kidney disease progresses over decades and in 66% of the cases ESRD is preventable if detected early. There are over 8 million people suffering from early to ESRD in the South African society today. It is our mission to campaign for early detection so that the progression of kidney disease is halted.
Hypertension and diabetes are the leading causes of kidney disease. Everybody should be tested, but specifically people with family history or people suffering from a non-communicable disease.
Kidney Protect Clinics, offer initial testing as well as the initial diagnosis and the implementation of a treatment plan. Our skilled and qualified team will monitor your monthly results and adjust your treatment plan accordingly. A renal multi-disciplinary team would be available to you which would include a nephrologist, renal nurse, dietician, social worker and a clinical psychologist.
Family therapy, peer counselling and employer education is also encouraged.
Kidney Protect Clinics are continuously expanding renal care through ongoing research and the study of clinical trials. The founder Alain Assounga is Head of the Nephrology Department at Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal and Chief Specialist at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, Department of Health.
As Nephrologist and Chief Specialist at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, Prof. Alain Assounga has seen thousands of patients at end stages of renal failure. Many of which could have been prevented had an early diagnosis been made. It is for this reason, that he founded Kidney Protect (Pty) limited in 2017.
Prof. Alain G. Assounga. MD, CES, MSc, PhD, is also head of the Nephrology Department at Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal. Originally from Congo-Brazzaville, Prof.
Assounga received his medical training in Brazzaville, nephrology and immunology training in France and the United States. He lectured and practiced medicine in the Congo and Gaborone, Botswana before moving to Durban, South Africa, where he teaches nephrology and conducts research.
He is also the co-author of “Kidney Disease in an African Setting”.