Department of NephrologyHead of Department
Prof AGH Assounga, MD, CES (FRANCE), MSC (MATHS), PHD (US)
The Department of Nephrology is one of the departments of the Division of Internal Medicine. It provides nephrology teaching to undergraduate and postgraduates students, clinical care for patients and offers teaching and research in immunology (including transplantation immunology) and molecular biology.
Clinical Services
We provide clinical services to patients from the province of KwaZulu-Natal as well as the northern parts of the Eastern Cape province.
Inpatient Services
Ward A2 west in Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital (IALCH) is used to manage acute and chronic referral patients. It also has separate transplant cubicles as well as an 8 bedded cubicle for patients on chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.
Dialysis Services
There are 4 haemodialysis units, situated in IALCH, King Edward VIII, Addington and Grey’s Hospitals. Registrar and consultant cover is provided in all units. The chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis clinic is held on Monday mornings at IALCH. A renal multidisciplinary meeting is held on Monday afternoons to discuss patient acceptance for the chronic renal programme.
Transplantation Service
The Transplant clinic is held at IALCH on Tuesday mornings.
Renal Clinics
A general renal clinic is held on Thursdays. Approximately 4 new patients are seen every week. A general renal clinic is held in King Edward Hospital every Friday.
Teaching
Undergraduate
The Department contributes fully to the undergraduate teaching programme of the Division of Medicine, with bedside teaching in both general medicine and nephrology, whole class resource sessions and participation in the PBL themes of the junior years.
Postgraduate
Medical Registrars:
- Regular participation in the academic meetings including the Monday academic meeting, Grand rounds and problem round
- Basic science meeting held on Tuesday mornings as applicable to pure and applied basic sciences relevant to nephrology.
- Presentations in the Renal Grand rounds held on Tuesday afternoons.
- Friday morning departmental business rounds.
Renal Fellows:
- Academic meetings on the first Monday of every month covering the Certificate of Nephrology syllabus. Journal club meetings held in conjunction with Basic science meetings on Tuesday.
- Histology meetings held in conjunction with the Anatomical Pathology department.
- We are currently in the process on recruiting a research fellow from the international society of Nephrology.
Outreach Activities
The department of Nephrology is involved in outreached activities throughout the province. It assists hospitals in the establishment and support of renal services in KZN.
Research
Clinical Research
Clinical research activities are discussed after the multidisciplinary meetings on Monday. Currently there are research projects involving chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis, transplantation and haemodialysis .
Basic Research
Basic research is conducted at the Division of Medicine Research Laboratories at Medical School.
Current Research Projects
- Study of HIV nephropathy in KwaZulu-Natal, (submitted to The National Kidney Foundation).
- Study of immunonological memory and tolerance in Kidney transplant patients (proposal in preparation).
- The use of ATB bioluminescence as a measure of immune function in renal transplant patients.
- The association of various HLA-A, B and –DR loci with membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN), IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in KwaZulu-Natal renal patients.
Staff
Full-Time Academic Staff
- Prof Alain GH Assounga
- Dr Sudesh Hariparshad
- Dr Priyesh G Mody
- Dr Balram Naidoo
Support Staff
- Ms Y Mncundza
Contact Us
| Physical Address | Postal Address |
| Room 328 3rd Floor Medical School 719 Umbilo Rd Congella Durban |
Dept of Nephrology Division of Medicine Medical School Private Bag 7 Congella South Africa 4013 |
Tel: +27 (0)31 260 4441 (Mrs Yolisa Mncundza)
Fax: +27 (0)31 260 4420
E-mail: Mrs Yolisa Mncundza (mncundzay@ukzn.ac.za)
