Our special guests at our weekly Fellowship Meeting on Thursday, February 13, 2020 were Nephrologist, Dr. Nerissa Jurawan and Consultant and General Surgeon, Dr. Margaret O’Shea from the Kidney Transplant team at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) along with Ms. Pamela Whitehall and Ms. Dione Timothy, mother and daughter, kidney recipient and donor respectively. Members of the press were also present to assist the Club in raising awareness about the kidney transplant programme.
Dr. Jurawan delivered a thought provoking presentation covering the benefits of kidney transplants, which includes longer and better quality of life as well as reduced cost when compared to dialysis treatment. She also spoke of the transplantation process for the Donor as well as the Recipient and the current status of the programme in Barbados.
While kidney transplants have been carried out in Barbados before, the current transplant programme started about five years ago and since then the unit has completed ten successful transplants. The transplant process / surgery is supported by a group of volunteer doctors from the UK known as Transplant Links Community (TLC). They work with local doctors to carry out live donors transplants, and at the same time teach the skills so that Barbados will have a sustainable transplant programme.
When asked about a donor bank in Barbados, Dr. Jurawan responded by saying that there is no legislation in Barbados to support a deceased donor programme and until such time that the law is changed, it’s really the patient’s duty to go out and find a living donor, be it any family member, friend, spouse or child.
Dr Jurawan ended her presentation by reminding Rotarians present that it is better to have a transplant than to remain on dialysis as the recipient may live up to 15 years longer with a transplant as compared to consistent dialysis treatment and have a better quality of life. She also reminded the audience that if any one chooses to donate a kidney to a loved one, their health would not be compromised. She provided a number of examples of donors and recipients who continue to live healthy lives, including the mother and daughter present at our meeting.
Our Club will continue to raise awareness on the importance of Kidney Donation in Barbados.
From left to right: Ms. Pamela Whitehall & Ms. Dione Timothy (mother & daughter) kidney recipient and donor respectively with President Peter Williams
Rotarian Dr Beverley Agard; Sergeant-At-Arms Peter Arender; Nephrologist, Dr. Nerissa Jurawan; Consultant and General Surgeon, Dr. Margaret O’Shea