TWENTY dialysis machines have been donated to three hospitals across the island by Bridge of Life, based in the United States of America.

The hospitals are University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) and St Joseph’s in Kingston, and Mandeville Regional in Manchester.

The dialysis centres at these three hospitals are managed by Nephrologist Professor Everard Barton.

Executive Director of Bridge of Life, Lori Vaclavik, said her organisation, in association with the DaVita Medical Mission, is pleased to be working in Jamaica to provide lifesaving treatment for people affected by end stage renal disease.

She said Jamaica was selected as a country in which to work, “because of the existence of good hospitals and because there are already skilled doctors, technicians and nurses who understand kidney care.”

The machines will enable the effective treatment and care of 150 additional persons who have been diagnosed with renal end stage disease.

Bridge of Life has brought a team of experts to conduct training sessions with about 60 to 80 kidney care professionals in the hospitals, including nurses and patient care technicians.

“We are about providing equipment and training, and empowering people in their country to provide health care. We are confident that the medical professionals in the three hospitals will be able to do that,” she added.

She pointed out that the training at each facility will take place over a three-week period, and that the team is committed to transferring the requisite knowledge needed for the administering of quality treatment.

Volunteer with Professor Barton at the UHWI, Blossom Laidlaw, said that contact was made with the Bridge of Life through a Jamaican doctor from Harvard University, Dr Harvey Ketwaru.

The UHWI now has a total of 14 dialysis stations; St Joseph’s, eight and the centre at the Mandeville Regional has five machines.