Fijian nephrologist Dr. Amrish Krishnan is currently enhancing his expertise in advanced training at Cairns Hospital in Australia. Under the guidance of Dr. Murty Mantha, an interventional nephrologist and director of renal services, Dr. Krishnan is equipped to tackle some of the significant challenges faced in renal medicine back in Fiji.
Throughout his career, Dr. Krishnan has witnessed the tragic loss of numerous patients in Fiji due to complications from vascular access issues for ongoing dialysis treatment. These complications can arise from conditions such as stenosis, which causes narrowing of the veins used for dialysis, or blood clots that can halt access altogether. Unfortunately, until now, there has been a lack of specialists in the Pacific region trained to address these urgent medical needs, leaving healthcare professionals, patients, and their families feeling powerless in the face of such difficult circumstances.
“The painful experience of losing a patient because they ran out of vascular access options is something no doctor wants to endure,” Dr. Krishnan shared. He is hopeful that by acquiring specialized skills abroad and returning to Fiji to train others, he can significantly improve the delivery of renal care in his homeland.
Dr. Krishnan emphasized the dedication to every patient he has lost to inadequate resources, expressing heartfelt gratitude to Australia for the training opportunity. In Fiji, over 800 individuals are diagnosed yearly with end-stage kidney disease, with a staggering 40 percent of these patients succumbing within six months of diagnosis due to inadequate treatment options.
This endeavor not only highlights the critical need for specialized medical training in underserved regions but also offers a beacon of hope for the future of renal medicine in Fiji. By empowering local healthcare providers with advanced knowledge and techniques, the prospects for improved patient outcomes are brighter.
Overall, Dr. Krishnan’s initiative can pave the way for more effective treatment methods, potentially saving countless lives in Fiji’s ongoing battle against kidney disease.
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