LBJ to Accept Off-Island Dialysis Patients When Repairs Completed

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Off-island dialysis patients will be accepted again at the LBJ Hospital Dialysis Unit once renovation of the old Dialysis Unit is completed.

This is according to Unit Manager, Olita Tafiti, who explained that the new unit which has been in operation for about 3 weeks now can only accommodate 16 patients at a time.

Once renovation of the old unit is completed the hospital will have an additional 32 stations to accommodate the rapidly increasing number of dialysis patients.

Tafiti apologized to visiting dialysis patients and those off island wishing to come here for their family fa’alavelaves or visit families for not being able to take them in for dialysis treatment.

She promised that once the renovation work is done, they should be able to accommodate them.

Tafiti explained that the Dialysis Unit has hired 10 new employees who will be leaving next month for training in Hawaii.

As of last December the number of local dialysis patients being treated at the LBJ Hospital was 157, but this month the number increased to 165.

The Dialysis Unit Manager says they have new dialysis cases every day.

Tafiti advises the public to watch what they eat, choose a healthy and balanced diet and refrain from drinking and smoking.

She said they cannot accommodate all those who have been diagnosed with diabetes so people need to take control of their eating and drinking habits and avoid the need for dialysis treatment.

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