Automated peritoneal dialysis: Challenge and hope for Indonesia

Abstract

Peritoneal dialysis utilisation in Indonesia decreased yearly from 6.6% in 2014 to 1.6% in 2018. Various efforts have been made by the government and the Indonesian Nephrologist Organization (PERNEFRI) through education and regulation to optimise the use of peritoneal dialysis, but have yet to succeed. The simplicity of automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) made it worth considering as another solution to optimise peritoneal dialysis in Indonesia. Several advantages are offered by using APD, such as providing more time for activities compared to continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis, cheaper cost than haemodialysis and allowing remote monitoring. The advantages of APD make it a promising kidney replacement therapy (KRT) modality for developing countries like Indonesia, but the application is scarce. Some of the challenges in implementing APD in Indonesia include APD machines and fluids that are not available in the Indonesian market; the price of machines and fluids is still high; health workers are not familiar with APD; patients and their families not knowing APD as one of KRT; and APD machines distribution in archipelagic country is challenging.