Groundbreaking ceremony for new dialysis center
On this World Kidney Day, groundbreaking things are happening in the fight to eliminate kidney disease, and they’re happening right here in eastern Idaho.
Bingham Memorial Hospital and the Idaho Kidney Institute announced plans for a new dialysis center.
It’s going to be life-changing for thousands right here who suffer from the disease. Thirty million people in the U.S. are fighting this fight. Some of those patients need transplants, but until they’re available dialysis is the best course of treatment. BMH already has a high volume of nephrology patients; with that growing need, a new facility was the only option to ensure effective care for locals.
11,000 square feet just off Poplar street in Blackfoot will be devoted to those fighting kidney disease.
“The Kidney Institute is there to keep people out of dialysis, that’s our primary job,” said Naeem Rahim of the Idaho Kidney Institute. “But for those who lose the battle temporarily, for most, until they get a transplant, we hope to give them the best care possible in their local communities.”
The center is the brain child of nephrology specialists, brothers Fahim and Naeem Rahim.
“We hope to give them the best care possible in their local communities,” said Rahim.
CEO of Bingham Memorial, Jeff Daniels, said you can often find the brothers working double shifts to take on their high patient volume.
“They’re wonderful,” said Daniels. “Not only in terms of their patient care, but their humanitarian efforts around the world. They truly believe in the human spirit, and it shows in their relationship to others.”
Representative Mike Simpson said this new addition will be life-changing.
“From the basic kidney stones that I’ve had to much more severe treatments,” said Simpson. “Having this in Blackfoot, in the center of southeast Idaho is very important. The Rahim brothers building this is very important to Blackfoot.”
Kidney disease is the 9th leading cause of death in the United States. In some stages, patients must have dialysis three times a week to stay alive, so these centers save lives every day.
The building is set to be completed by late fall of this year.
