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Bimbi Fernando |
‘Xtra black donors would reduce long waiting list’
Surgeon set to carry out kidney transplant on Alexandra Burke’s mother issues appeal
THE top surgeon due to carry out a kidney transplant on the mother of X Factor winner Alexandra Burke has appealed for more donors from the Afro-Caribbean community.
Bimbi Fernando, who is based at the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead, said there is often a longer wait for kidneys for black people because of a greater need.
Alexandra’s mother, Melissa Bell, who lives off Caledonian Road in Islington, suffers from chronic kidney disease and needs three hours of dialysis three times a week.
She is currently waiting for a suitable kidney donor.
Mr Fernando said: “Currently people like Melissa wait significantly longer for a transplant as there is not only a higher incidence of renal failure from hypertension and diabetes – which can lead to kidney failure – in her ethnic group, but also relatively fewer donors from this group.
“As the tissue type of the recipient as well as the blood group should be matched to that of the donor, it results in it being more difficult to find suitable donors for these patients.”
Mr Fernando would like to see more people carrying donor cards and insists that the majority of those who donate kidneys are able to continue to live normal, healthy lives.
“It may sound like a quirk of statistics,” he added, “but those who donate kidneys normally live longer than average because they are extremely fit in the first place.”
X Factor winner Alexandra described her mum Melissa as her main musical guide and inspiration. During the competition, Alexandra revealed fears for her mother’s health.
On one weekend leading up to the finals, Melissa was so ill she had to be admitted to the Royal Free and couldn’t watch her daughter.
The average waiting time for a kidney is two and half years.
Mr Fernando said: “This, however, is an average and some people may wait significantly longer.”
Mr Fernando, who carries out 60 to 80 kidney transplants a year, explained the requirements for donating a kidney.
He said: “You need to be healthy, have two kidneys and be psychologically prepared to undergo a rigorous assessment as well as a major operation.
“How should we keep our kidneys healthy? The majority of people will have healthy kidneys and should continue to adopt a healthy lifestyle.
“If the kidney has early signs of the disease then cutting back on salt and protein in the diet may reduce the strain on the kidneys.
“Avoid injuries to the kidney – for example, toxic drugs – and treat any underlying cause of renal failure as effectively as possible.”
Mr Fernando added: “For example, hypertension and diabetes should be carefully managed and if the person is overweight they should be encouraged to lose weight as this will put less strain on the kidney.” |
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