ABU DHABI // Less than two months after opening, the new Al Mafraq Dialysis Centre is already treating 100 patients a week.
The centre, which opened in May and has the capacity to treat 360 patients, has helped to relieve overcrowding in other dialysis units in the emirate - some of which had only been able to offer patients two dialysis sessions a week instead of the recommended three because of space issues.
"One of the reasons this unit was built is that patients in the Mafraq, Bani Yas or Mussaffah area were having to travel to either Sheikh Khalifa Medical City [SKMC] or Al Rahba for their treatment," said Nick Richards, the chief executive and CMO of Seha, Abu Dhabi's health services company.
Dialysis is prescribed for patients with poorly functioning kidneys, and works to remove harmful waste from the body.
Diabetes is a common cause of kidney failure and, with the growing number of diabetics in the UAE, there has been increasing demand for dialysis treatment, said Mr Richards.
"I don't think the problem is about to go away, and this was understood as a problem some years ago, when Seha and the government decided to do something about it."
To further ease pressure on the strained nephrological health system, new dialysis centres are also planned for SKMC and Tawam Hospital in Al Ain.
zalhassani@thenational.ae
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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Three ways to boost your credit score
Marwan Lutfi says the core fundamentals that drive better payment behaviour and can improve your credit score are:
1. Make sure you make your payments on time;
2. Limit the number of products you borrow on: the more loans and credit cards you have, the more it will affect your credit score;
3. Don't max out all your debts: how much you maximise those credit facilities will have an impact. If you have five credit cards and utilise 90 per cent of that credit, it will negatively affect your score.
If you go
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct to Nairobi, with fares starting from Dh1,695. The resort can be reached from Nairobi via a 35-minute flight from Wilson Airport or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, or by road, which takes at least three hours.
The rooms
Rooms at Fairmont Mount Kenya range from Dh1,870 per night for a deluxe room to Dh11,000 per night for the William Holden Cottage.