The Clare branch of the Irish Kidney Assocation says it’s “lobbying very hard” for a dialysis unit in Clare this World Kidney Day.
In conjunction with the annual awareness day which has rolled around again, the Irish Kidney Association, or IKA, has launched its ‘1 in 10 People’ campaign to shine a light on kidney health awareness.
The campaign, according to the IKA, is intended to make people more aware of kidney-related health conditions.
It’s estimated that one in 10 people in Ireland and one in seven over the age of 50 are living with Chronic Kidney Disease or CKD.
Of these, a startling 98% don’t know they have the condition which is on track to be the fifth leading cause of death here by 2040.
Clare people in need of renal care currently have to go either to University Hospital Limerick or its satellite centre on the Dock Road in Limerick.
While the HSE had at one point said Ennis Hospital would have a dialysis unit by the end of this year, this has now been pushed back to November 2026.
Speaking on Clare FM’s Morning Focus, Chairperson of the Clare branch of the IKA Dermot Hayes people here are travelling an exceptional distance to access the care they need.
At this week’s meeting of Clare County Council, Clarecastle Sinn Féín Councillor Tommy Guilfoyle tabled a motion seeking clarity on the delivery of the Ennis dialysis unit.
Specifically, he’s requested a precise timeline on the commencement of services, confirmation of its location, details of the contractor and confirmation of the project’s current status.
He says many in this county are confused and need answers as a matter of urgency.
You can listen to the full interview here:
