“Integral in Enabling Me to Start My Research Career”: ISN Clinical Research Program Facilitates Groundbreaking Study on Dialysis in Zimbabwe
Rumbidzai Dahwa received an ISN Clinical Research Program (CRP) grant for the research project “Prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease in Zimbabwe” in 2017.
Find out more about the CRP and how to apply here.
The study, completed in 2020, was the first to provide comprehensive data on the nature and prevalence of dialysis in Zimbabwe and the dialysis population that goes on to receive renal replacement therapy (RRT). It has been published in the American Journal of Kidney Diseases.
Dr. Dahwa’s observational cohort study was conducted in all 16 dialysis units in Zimbabwe – both private and public—and included patients receiving peritoneal dialysis.
The study provided valuable information to help understand the burden of renal replacement therapy and patient outcomes, highlighting low access to dialysis, the underuse of peritoneal dialysis, and potential strategies to reduce kidney failure in the country. It will help local nephrologists and policymakers plan for the increasing incidence of kidney failure and ensure adequate services are available for patients who need RRT.
Dr. Dahwa commented, “[The CRP] program was integral in enabling me to start my research career. This was my first research project after qualifying as a nephrologist, and the ISN’s support was invaluable. I want to build a dialysis registry based on the experience I gained from this study.”
