The Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) has reviewed its kidney transplant guidelines for the first time in nine years, seeking to improve patient safety, strengthen treatment standards and align services with advances in medical technology.
The review targets the hospital's Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), which have been in use since it introduced kidney transplant services in 2017.
The exercise brought together specialists involved in kidney transplantation to assess existing procedures and incorporate developments in medical science and surgical technology.
Speaking at the closing of a workshop on the review, Dr Juma Mfinanga, representing the MNH Executive Director, said updating the guidelines was important in ensuring patients received safe and quality services that reflected current medical standards.
He commended the hospital for adopting modern technologies and surgical techniques, saying continued professional development was essential to improving transplant outcomes.
Dr Mfinanga also urged specialists from different medical disciplines to maintain close cooperation, noting that kidney transplantation required coordinated efforts among professionals.
“Kidney transplant services require close cooperation among specialists from different professional fields. It is important to continue working together, supporting one another and functioning as a team to strengthen Muhimbili and maintain its reputation for excellence in kidney transplant services,” he said.
Since introducing the service in 2017, MNH has performed kidney transplants for more than 100 patients, expanding access to a specialised treatment option for people with kidney failure.
The hospital has also adopted minimally invasive surgery techniques in kidney transplantation, reflecting efforts to modernise surgical procedures through advanced medical technology.
The updated guidelines are expected to provide a framework for maintaining consistent standards of care, strengthening patient safety and ensuring that treatment procedures keep pace with international medical developments.
The review also highlights the importance of specialised medical teams in expanding access to complex treatments locally, potentially reducing the need for patients to seek such services abroad.