Globally, 85% of acute kidney injury (AKI) cases occur in low- and middle-income countries. There is limited information on persistent kidney disease (acute kidney disease [AKD]) following severe malaria-associated acute kidney injury.

During the conversation with Dr Ogavu Joseph, a kidney specialist from the Uganda Kidney Foundation, it was highlighted that the disease emerges as a result of complications arising from common ailments such as malaria, urinary tract infections (UTIs), skin infections, and pneumonia, which are naturally occurring in human beings.

Dr Joseph also pointed out that the treatment employed to address these conditions can potentially impact the kidneys.

Acute kidney also known as acute renal failure (ARF), is a sudden episode of kidney failure or kidney damage that happens within a few hours or a few days. AKI causes a build-up of waste products in your blood and makes it hard for your kidneys to keep the right balance of fluid in your body.

According to the specialist, Acute kidney injury can have many different causes.  It can be caused by Decreased blood flow where some diseases and conditions can slow blood flow to one’s kidneys.

Dr Joseph noted that acute kidney injury is also caused by common diseases like malaria among others.

Acute kidney injury is not limited by age, as it can occur alongside any infection; however, it is a treatable condition.

Recently, Mulago Hospital registered a successful Kidney transplant following the discharge of the patient and the donor. the transplant was carried out on 20th December 2023 by a team of Ugandan surgeons with support from doctors of Yashoda Hospitals in India.

Dr Ogavu attributed to this by saying Uganda’s health sector is advancing and they are aiming at having more transplants.

He says the ministry has done its best to do primary prevention and the community needs to embrace them however there is a need to ensure more human resources in health centres and human power are increased.