Dialysis

We provide dialysis at dedicated dialysis centres in Dubai and in hospital units across the UAE, so treatment stays close to home. A nephrologist (kidney doctor) oversees your care, supported by dialysis nurses and a renal dietitian. Visitors to the UAE can arrange dialysis with us during their stay. Starting dialysis is a significant change, and it is one you make with your kidney team rather than one that simply happens to you.

What is dialysis?

Dialysis takes over the main work of the kidneys when they can no longer filter the blood themselves. It removes waste products and excess fluid, and helps keep minerals such as potassium and phosphate, and your blood pressure, in balance.

Haemodialysis cleans the blood by passing it through a machine outside the body. It does not cure kidney disease, but it keeps the body in balance when the kidneys cannot. It is prescribed and supervised by nephrologists and delivered by specialist dialysis nurses.

For people who are medically suitable, a kidney transplant remains the preferred long-term treatment over dialysis, and at Mediclinic, we actively encourage this discussion early, before dialysis becomes necessary.

Who needs dialysis?

Dialysis is generally needed by people with:

• Kidney failure, when the kidneys can no longer clear waste or control fluid
• Diabetes or long-term high blood pressure that has damaged the kidneys
• Acute kidney injury - a sudden drop in kidney function, usually treated in hospital and often temporary
• Increased levels of fluid, potassium or waste that have become dangerous and can no longer be controlled with medicines
• Advanced chronic kidney disease that is approaching the point of needing treatment

There is no single blood-test result that determines when dialysis should start. Clinical trials have shown that starting dialysis early, based only on kidney function reaching a certain level, does not improve survival compared with starting later when symptoms develop. The decision is based on your symptoms, blood results, and how quickly your kidney function is changing. Your nephrologist will discuss this with you in advance, so you have time to understand your options.

Your options when kidneys fail

Kidney transplant: For eligible patients, a transplant is generally the preferred treatment and can offer better long-term survival and quality of life than haemodialysis. In some cases, transplantation can take place before dialysis begins, particularly when a suitable living donor is available. Mediclinic City Hospital has performed more than 100 kidney transplants since 2016. Early referral for transplant assessment is therefore important.

Haemodialysis: This usually involves three sessions a week, each lasting around four hours, at a dialysis centre or hospital. It may be used when transplantation is not possible, not yet appropriate, or while you wait for a transplant.

Conservative kidney management: Some people choose not to have dialysis, particularly if they are older, frail or living with several serious conditions. Care continues with a focus on managing symptoms, protecting remaining kidney function and maintaining quality of life.

The most appropriate option depends on your health, circumstances, and what matters to you.

What to expect

Before haemodialysis starts, you will need vascular access to your bloodstream. This is usually an arteriovenous fistula, created by joining an artery and vein in the arm. If this is not suitable, an arteriovenous graft may be used. If dialysis is needed urgently, a temporary catheter can be placed in a vein in the neck. Your team will recommend the most suitable option based on your needs and long-term treatment plan.

Most people have haemodialysis three times a week, with each session lasting around four hours. Your weight and blood pressure are monitored, and you can read, work, watch something, or sleep during treatment. Some people feel tired afterwards or experience low blood pressure or leg cramps, and the team can adjust your treatment if needed.

Your team will regularly review your blood results, blood pressure, fluid balance, and vascular access. A renal dietitian will also help you manage your diet and fluid intake, while the team monitors other effects of kidney disease, including anaemia and bone health.

Contact your dialysis unit straight away if:

• Your fistula or graft stops buzzing or thrilling
• The skin over your access becomes red, swollen, hot or painful
• Bleeding from your access site does not stop with pressure
• You develop a fever or chills, particularly if you have a dialysis catheter
• You become suddenly breathless, or swelling increases quickly
• You miss a session and feel unwell

These can indicate a clot, an infection, or dangerous fluid overload, all of which need prompt treatment.

Dialysis at Mediclinic

We provide haemodialysis for people with kidney failure, both as an outpatient and during a hospital stay, with inpatient dialysis available around the clock. For critically ill patients with sudden kidney failure, our intensive care teams can provide continuous kidney replacement therapy at the bedside.

Before haemodialysis starts, we assess your vascular access, place dialysis catheters where needed and refer you to a vascular surgeon if a fistula or graft is recommended. We also encourage early transplant assessment for eligible patients, ideally before dialysis is needed. Our kidney transplant programme at Mediclinic City Hospital has performed more than 100 transplants since 2016.

We operate dedicated dialysis centres in Dubai at Mediclinic Al Barsha Dialysis Centre and Mediclinic Al Tawar Dialysis Centre, both in affiliation with Dubai Health. Dialysis is also available at Mediclinic City Hospital, Mediclinic Welcare Hospital and Mediclinic Parkview Hospital in Dubai, and Mediclinic Airport Road Hospital in Abu Dhabi.

If you are visiting the UAE and need regular dialysis, we can provide holiday dialysis during your stay. Please arrange this before travelling and provide a recent medical report, dialysis prescription, and hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV test results. These blood tests will be repeated before your first session, and one of our doctors will review your case and issue your prescription.