Rotorua dialysis patients, DHB staff and members of Te Whakapono Health Trust gathered at Rotorua Hospital to celebrate 10 years of operation for the Renal Satellite Dialysis Unit.
The unit was formally opened in 2006 and yesterday was the centre of celebration by a crowd of about 40.
Te Whakapono Health Trust was set up originally to fundraise for the unit, and raised $780,000 towards the set up costs.
Diabetes is the most common cause of end stage renal failure in New Zealand. The disease damages the filtering membranes in the kidney directly, as well as damaging blood vessels throughout the body, increasing the risk of high blood pressure which can in itself cause renal failure.
The unit began with five patients but within two months, had opened up six days a week and was dialysing 15 patients. The unit has now increased to treat 12 patients a day. Patients dialyse for up to six hours three times a week.