The number of patients currently undergoing dialysis treatment at the National Kidney Foundation continues to grow with the total now at 180 and the youngest 14 years of age.

This was confirmed by the head of the National Kidney Foundation of Samoa, Mulipola Lose Hazelman on Thursday in response to questions from Samoa Observer. 

He said of the 180 dialysis patients undergoing treatment, 23 are from Savai'i while the rest reside in Upolu while confirming the number continues to rise due to unmanaged non-communicable diseases. 

"In the financial year [2021-2022] we had 64 new patients who needed dialysis treatment and it was the first time ever we had a total of over 60 new patients," Mulipola said. "Diabetes and high blood pressure are the main cause and the statistics show that more than 90 per cent of the number continues to grow because of unmanaged non-communicable diseases."

Mulipola added that the youngest dialysis patient they have from Upolu Island is 18 years old with the eldest patient aged over 80. He confirmed that the youngest patient to have started dialysis treatment is aged 14 and is from Savai'i. 

The new 30 dialysis machines procured by the Samoa Government to be used at the foundation are yet to arrive, according to Mulipola. 

"We are expecting it to arrive in October or November of this year," he said and indicated their arrival will push the total number of their machines to 60. "Our capacity here is 60, we can have 60 in-patients at once, however, currently we only have 30 machines s the 30 new machines will bring the number up, but once the new machines arrive, we will need to phase out the old machines."

In May this year, Mulipola confirmed that 40 people who were on dialysis treatment in Samoa lost their lives last year. He said there were 202 people in Samoa who were listed on their records as needing dialysis treatment, and last year 64 new patients were added to the list for treatment.

Data provided by the N.K.F.S. showed that at the end of 2020, a total of 19 patients lost their lives. But at the end of 2022, this figure doubled with 40 patients diagnosed with kidney diseases dying. The major factor behind the rise in kidney diseases is N.C.D.s as Samoans continue to rely more on processed food amid a spike in the consumption of junk food and sugary drinks.

According to Mulipola, most Samoans only find out at the last minute that they have developed N.C.D.s because of their lifestyle. Emphasising that prevention is always better than cure, he said more resources should be targeted at creating awareness on what the cost of N.C.D.s is at the community and national levels.