Every year the number of people in Israel with chronic kidney failure increases.  Recent statistics show that more than 3800 patients were on dialysis and more than 270 kidney transplants were performed annually.  If not treated by dialysis or by kidney transplant, chronic kidney failure is not only irreversible but fatal. 

Because of the limited number of kidneys available for transplant, most kidney failure patients must undergo dialysis. Today’s patients also tend to be older and sicker than in the past, not only because of the aging of the population, but because they may be suffering from the long-term effects of diabetes and hypertension. 

To be effective, dialysis must be performed an average of five hours three times a week.  Yet, there are no facilities for dialysis in Ashdod.  Every day, forty or more patients face the major challenge of traveling from Ashdod to the nearest major medical center—over an hour away—to receive this essential life-sustaining treatment.

The dialysis machine performs the vital functions of purifying the blood and removing waste materials and toxins from the body.  The machine functions like an artificial kidney.  Besides removing toxins it withdraws waste fluids from patients suffering from chronic kidney failure as a result of various illnesses.  The dialysis machine receives the unfiltered blood, filters it and returns filtered blood to the body, which has now been cleansed of high concentrations of toxic materials.

The Dialysis Unit of the Ashdod Emergency Medical Center will cover an area of approximately 390 square meters. This modern, attractive facility is designed to provide an environment that is as pleasant as possible for patients undergoing treatment.

Eight dialysis stations are planned for the Dialysis Unit in the new Ashdod Emergency Medical Center, seven stations for adults and one station for children.  The machines will be equipped with the newest technology, enabling the skilled staff to function with optimum efficiency and enhancing the comfort of the patients.