The East Africa kidney Institute (EAKI) was launched on October, 2014 following a senate approval. The Institute was to address the burden of chronic kidney diseases that are emerging as a major global health problem with heavy morbidity and mortality with its associated social and economic burden. They are the 12th cause of death and 17th cause of disability. East and central Africa region is experiencing a great need for the scientific base knowledge and skills for the practice of urology and nephrology. The East Africa states through the Africa Development Bank agreed to set up the East Africa kidney institute
The kidney institute will comprise outpatient and diagnostic facilities for patients with renal and Urological health issues, as well as inpatient and surgical facilities. The inpatient wards are designed to provide a therapeutic and calm environment with a low number of patients per wardroom.
The services and support facilities are located in the basement which is a semi-basement as it opens to an outside courtyard. The teaching function is also facilitated in a separate but linked wing that houses lecture rooms, seminar rooms, a library/ resource centre and a medical training suite.
The flat roofs will allow for the positioning of the building ventilation, air-conditioning and solar water heating equipment in easily accessible areas. The building has also been designed to allow for future vertical expansion, should the need arise.
The design for life and fire safety has been based on local and international codes and best practice. The building has been compartmentalized in accordance with the fire code and fire rated doors specified at compartment partitions in protected zones and corridors. Fire escape staircases with smoke lobbies have been designed accordingly.
The design of the building form minimizes the visual impact of some of the service areas by incorporating a roof garden over part of the basement electrical and mechanical services plant rooms.
As a regional center of excellence it was mandated to build capacity in research training, clinical and preventive services in Urology and Nephrology for both faculty and service providers. The University of Nairobi and Kenyatta National Hospital serve as lead institutions
Vision, Mission and Strategic Objectives
Vision
A World class Institute of Urology and Nephrology committed to excellence in scholarly, scientific and service delivery.
Mission
To provide quality urological and nephrological education, service and training and embody the aspiration of the Kenya and global community.
Strategic Objectives
The overall objective of Institute of Urology and Nephrology is to develop a world class institution that facilitates the realization of the vision to strengthen health training, research capacity and provision of services to the local and international communities, more so in the East and Central African region.
The institute intends to achieve the following specific objectives:
- Set up an institution that facilitates training of trans-disciplinary experts capable of meeting the emerging challenges in the field of nephron-urology in developing countries as well as promotion of health;
- Facilitate cross disciplinary research by experts from diverse backgrounds, thus creating an environment that appreciates strength and unity in diversity;
- Provide multidisciplinary services and consultancies to communities at local and regional levels;
- Be the institute of choice for training and research to undergraduate, postgraduate and other health care providers in the field of nephron-urology.
- Provide the forum for interrogating important current and emerging issues in the field of kidney and urological diseases
Academic Programmes
The Institute offers the following programmes:-
Short Courses:-
The institute offers short skill-based courses that aim to provide participants with the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to become effective in their various work areas. The preceptor-ship training consists of 2 weeks joint training for the entire team on all aspects of renal care followed by 10 weeks specific skill based training for each cadre.
The preceptorship short courses include:-
- Preceptorship in Renal Nursing
- Preceptorship in Renal Nutrition
- Preceptorship in Renal Pharmacy practice
- Preceptorship in Dialysis Access
- Preceptorship in Renal Laboratory Science
- Preceptorship for Physicians and Medical Officers
Since the inception of the preceptor-ship short-courses in July 2016, EAKI has trained a total of 185 health workers from various counties.
Diploma Courses:-
The Institute has a current ongoing class undertaking the Diploma in Renal Nursing Course with 36 students the first class began in January 2017
Post Graduate Courses:-
|
|
Name |
Year course began |
Students currently enrolled |
|
|
Fellowship in Clinical Nephrology |
January, 2017 |
7 |
|
|
Masters of Science in Renal Nursing |
September, 2018 |
6 |
|
|
Fellowship in Paediatric Nephrology |
September, 2018 |
4 |
|
|
Masters of Medicine in Urology |
September, 2014 |
21 |
|
Total |
38 |
Teaching Facilities
Facilities for teaching are available at the EAKI, the School of Medicine, University of Nairobi (UoN) and the Kenyatta National hospital (KNH).
Teaching facilities and resources include:
- Kenyatta National Hospital Tertiary Level 6 Referral and Teaching Hospital and Mbagathi Level 4 Hospital will serve as sites for clinical exposure. Kenyatta National hospital has:
Renal Unit, with -
- Dialysis Unit
- 30 bed capacity Haemodialysis unit
- 10 Peritoneal dialysis beds
- 8 bed Transplant ward and
- 20 bed capacity Critical Care Unit
- 8 General medical wards each with a capacity of 45 patients
- Laboratories which are operational with up-to-date facilities for haematological, biochemical microbiology, histology and immunologic analyses.
- A computer laboratory with five (5) stations which facilitates easy access e-books, e-journals and other electronic learning material
- Lecture/Conference/Seminar rooms which are used for conducting lectures with a capacity for at least twenty (20)individuals
- Telemedicine equipment which enables live case presentations and discussions between students at the College of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi and other collaborating medical institutions.
- Outpatient/ambulatory Clinics
- General renal clinic
- Runs once a week
- It has an average of 10 -15 new renal consultation patients and 60 follow up patients.
- Transplant Clinic
- Caters for evaluation and processing of those being prepared for transplantation (i.e. Donors and recipients).
- A minimum of about 5 pre transplant and 15 post-transplant patients are reviewed weekly.
Linkages and Collaborations
The Institute has established the collaborations with the following Institutions:-
- Apollo Hospitals India
- Stellenbosch University South Africa
- Sheffield Kidney Institute
- Ongoing Negotiations
- Yale University
- Washington State University
Achievements
- Since its establishment the Institute has graduated 52 Students undertaking the Diploma in Renal Nursing and 185 health workers in various renal preceptorship courses from various counties.
- Through the Medical Equipment Service program of the Kenyan government to roll out dialysis in all the 47 counties in the country human resource training to devolve renal services in the 47 counties.
- Through its partnership with the Ministry of Health it has trained 143 health workers in different renal preceptorship courses.
Activities Contributing Towards the Big Four Agenda
- The Institute through its collaboration with the Ministry of Health under the medical equipment services program whose main aim was to ensure that public hospitals were to have access to modern health infrastructure, equipment and services. The Institute was then tasked with building capacity for all working in the renal units in the country.
- Institutes activities towards Universal Health Coverage having been a rise in non-communicable disease like kidney disease in Kenya. It is estimated that over 10, 000 patients have end-stage kidney disease requiring renal dialysis. The Institute has trained 270 health workers in renal health care from various counties through the medical equipment services program that provided renal dialysis machines to 47 referral county hospitals. Most counties were unable to effectively utilise the dialysis machines as they lacked trained staff but through the training ensures that everyone that anyone who requires renal services can access essential quality health services.
