Please bring dialysis catheters to Cape Town!

Dear colleagues and friends,

​As we prepare for our IPNA Congress and strive to improve dialysis therapies, it is important that we think of the less well-resourced parts of the world. You will have heard of the ISN program on Saving Young Lives that brings acute dialysis to less well-resourced countries in Africa and around the world. Here is a link to their website for more information https://www.theisn.org/programs/saving-young-lives-project

As part of this work, we need PD & HD catheters that are ‘usable’ – past their expiry dates, but still in their sterile packaging and with the full insertion kit that comes with each catheter. All dialysis catheters, PD and HD, temporary and permanent, and of all sizes will be useful. Also, Hickmann lines and similar catheters will be useful.

Clearly, once expired, we cannot use them in many of our centres, but they would be fit for purpose in other parts of the world. 

We would be most grateful if you could actively look for any expired catheters and bring them along to the meeting. Prof Mignon McCulloch will then distribute them to relevant SYL contacts around the world, many of whom will also be attending our Congress. 

If you are bringing the catheters in person, please be sure to print out and carry this Customs Letter with you.

If you prefer to courier the catheters, here’s a shipping address

Additional documents:

Customs officer sent equipment

Customs officer carried equipment

Equipment letter for folk taking equipment away

Letter for carrying expired medical supplies that we can use

Please spread this message to PD & HD nurses and doctors in your centre. 

Together we can make a real difference to promoting the SYL program!

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Thank you all!​

Rukshana and Mignon​

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