AL AIN// Ibrahim Baker's laugh breaks through the sombre mood of the male dialysis ward at Tawam Hospital as he jokes with the nurses. But when he starts talking about his situation, his smile fades. "I have been on dialysis for around six and a half years, since April 2002," Mr Baker said. For 10 years before that he was living with a transplanted kidney, which eventually failed.
"My only choice for life was to continue on dialysis. Of course I want another organ transplant." The treatment works well for Mr Baker, 56, and he has enough energy to work and care for his family. But he says dialysis is only a temporary measure. Every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday his blood is pumped through a machine for four hours to clean it. "There is no normal life on dialysis. I work in the morning and then come directly here." The ward is full of men hooked up to the large machines. Many have been coming here for at least a decade.
"Dialysis is a solution but not the final solution," said Mr Baker. "Abu Dhabi should have an organ donation programme. There are no organs here so people have to go and get it from outside. "I hope to get a kidney transplant early next year. I am trying to find a relative or do what I have done before, to get it from a non-relative." It is clear that he is not happy with his situation. "That is the only solution; there is no alternative. Either dialysis, or get a kidney from somewhere else."
amcmeans@thenational.ae
