Kidney Foundation of Zambia

17/09/2025

September 14-20, 2025: Nephrology Nurses Week

September 17, 2025

Many Zambians live with kidney disease and every year many citizens, including children, adults, and older individuals, are diagnosed with kidney disease; and,

WHEREAS, the depth and breadth of the nephrology nursing profession meet the evolving kidney health needs of Zambian population; and,

WHEREAS, the Kidney Foundation of Zambian is working to advance quality care to Zambians with kidney disease to positively influence patient outcomes, increase community awareness of kidney disease and the vital role nurses play in patient care, and keep nephrology nurses abreast of the latest treatments and kidney-related research; and,

WHEREAS, nephrology nurses serve as educators, direct caregivers, and coordinators to help patients balance daily living while effectively managing their health issues; and,

WHEREAS, the number of newly diagnosed cases of end-stage kidney disease is increased in the last two decades, and the demand for nephrology nurses will persist to expand as this trend is expected to continue; and,

WHEREAS, more qualified nephrology nurses will be needed in the future to meet the increasingly complex needs of patients who are experiencing, or are at risk for, kidney disease; and,

KFZ will observe the week of September 14 through 20, 2025, as Nephrology Nurses Week to celebrate and honor the altruistic work nephrology nurses perform each day to sustain the health of thousands of individuals with kidney disease; and,

WHEREAS, we honor the nephrology nurses who care for patients with kidney disease and their efforts to advance patient care and reduce the incidence of kidney disease;

07/09/2025

Levy Mwanawasa doctors save boy with 3 kidneys in 6 hour surgery

A 10-YEAR-OLD boy from Lusaka has been saved from persistent urinary tract infections (UTIs) after doctors at Levy Mwanawasa Teaching Hospital (LMTH) successfully removed an extra kidney and an unusually large ureter during a delicate operation.

For close to six months, the boy battled recurrent infections that would ease with treatment but always return, leaving his parents worried.

According to LMTH, it was during an abdominal ultrasound that doctors discovered the boy had a rare congenital condition known as duplex kidneys, where two kidneys are located on one side of the body instead of one.

Further medical examination revealed that the child had three kidneys in total, with the smaller one measuring about 2 by 3 centimetres fused on top of a normal kidney on the left side.

The smaller kidney was attached to a ureter measuring close to 70 centimetres, which was not functioning properly and contributing to the recurring infections.

Faced with the unusual condition, a team of urologists led by senior registrar Dr Mushila Kamaki conducted a six-hour procedure to remove the non-functional kidney and its ureter.

“We removed the top kidney and its ureter, and sealed the remaining segment to allow the healthy kidney to function normally,” Dr Kamaki explained.

Zambia Daily Mail reports that the medical team confirmed that two weeks after the procedure, the boy is recovering well and almost back to his normal activities.

Doctors have further noted that congenital anomalies such as having three kidneys are extremely rare and often go unnoticed without advanced imaging.

By George Musonda

Kalemba September 7, 2025

01/09/2025

He met her online, she gave him a kidney

By Peggy Mwansakilwa, News Diggers

31st August 2025


Lifestyle

Wilcliff and Clara

Last November, Wilcliff Sakala was told both his kidneys had failed. He never imagined that the woman he met on a dating site years earlier would one day give him a part of herself to keep him alive.

His wife, Clara Mutale, donated one of her kidneys in a life-saving surgery at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH).
Today, the couple is healthy and living their own version of “happily ever after.” Wilcliff, a communication consultant, and Clara, a relationship officer at an insurance company, remember how everything changed after his diagnosis.

He was placed on dialysis for more than six months before undergoing a successful transplant on 11th June 2025, in an operation led by a Zambian medical team.

15/06/2025

Breakthrough in Kidney Transplants at UTHs-ADULT HOSPITAL: A Testament to Teamwork and Heroic Donors
The University Teaching Hospitals (UTHs) Adult is celebrating a significant leap forward in its kidney transplant program, marked by the recent visit of renowned transplant chief Mark Malcher from the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Malcher, who spent a short-term visit this week, expressed immense satisfaction with the progress, highlighting the success of two recent transplant operations, with a third one underway today, June 13th.

These three new transplants bring the total for the year to eight (8), a remarkable achievement given that five operations were performed in the first quarter alone. This growing momentum signifies a promising future for kidney transplant services in Zambia.

Dr. Malcher underscored that this success is a direct result of strong collaboration between UTHs-Adult Hospital and the American medical team. He particularly emphasized the pivotal role played by living donors, who are relatives of the recipients and are making this possible, Dr. Malcher stated, "because relatives to the recipients are coming up to donate their kidneys, and these donors should be recognized as heroes.

Adding to this positive outlook, UTH Senior Medical Superintendent Dr. Charles Mbewe stated that the aim is to conduct 20 transplants this year. With eight already completed, two more camps are scheduled, requiring six transplants per camp to meet the goal. Dr. Mbewe is optimistic, anticipating that UTH will achieve 80 to 90 percent of its target by year-end. He expressed satisfaction with the current collaboration, emphasizing the crucial skills transfer to local surgeons. The long-term vision is for subsequent transplants to be performed by UTH's own medical team, with continued government support. This collaborative effort is not only saving lives but also building local capacity for sustainable kidney transplant services in Zambia.

The National Coordinator -Nephrology Services Consultant Nephrology Dr Aggrey Mweemba added in conclusion that, the kidney transplant program is rapidly advancing, with the ambitious goal of performing weekly transplants within the next five years, a significant jump from the current quarterly schedule. Already, local UTHs surgeons are handling 50% of the kidney implantation process. The program's success, driven by collaboration with an American team and the invaluable contributions of heroic living donors, is leading towards a future where, by mid-next year, American counterparts will merely observe as Zambian surgeons independently perform these life-saving procedures.

UTHs-ADULT

Public Relations Unit

15/06/2025

02/01/2025

The theme for World Kidney Day 2025 is "Are Your Kidneys OK? – Detect early, protect kidney health".

The campaign focuses on the importance of early detection of kidney disease, including understanding risk factors, timely testing, and early intervention.

The 2025 campaign launched on September 9, 2024, and will include a day of global activities on March 13, 2025.

The campaign also includes a new logo that features green to represent sustainability, in addition to the familiar colors of yellow, red, and blue. The logo also includes brackets that represent both kidneys and two hemispheres of the globe.

04/09/2024

Send off farewell for the late Sr. Jacinta Chileshe in Chingola St. Paul and Peter Parish

07/03/2024

07/03/2024

09/11/2023

You are invited to an open day at Mutti clinic premises on Friday 10/11/2023 from 09:00 to 16:00 to commemorate World Diabetes Day which falls on 14/11/2023. The activities lined up include: 1. Free blood sugar, blood pressure, and weight screening for the public 2. Free advice on diabetes management and free glucometers to patients in need. 3. Diabetic diet talk by dietician 4. Demonstration on safe exercise regimen for diabetic patients. 5. Free eye screening 6. Showcasing the latest oral diabetes drugs and various insulin types available on the market 10. Free advise on BP & Kidney care, dental, urology and orthopedics Address is Plot 3 Nambala Close off Bwinjimfumu Road, Rhodespark A reminder to please come with a sports attire for the aerobics session. Please RSVP on 0966 888 051