Unit Manager at the Rundu Dialysis Centre, Augustinus Alpo, says they have seen an increase in local patients presenting symptoms of herbal intoxication.

Rundu Dialysis Centre is the only private centre offering dialysis treatment. They have been in operation for just over a year.

"We received more than 50 patients that came here for acute injury of the kidney. They are here because of herbal intoxication. It's one of the challenges we are facing because we expect more than ten patients in one week, and they are all coming, and the diagnosis is just herbal intoxication."

Alpo says patients presenting with herbal intoxication are often found to use traditional herbs or remedies that turn out to be detrimental to their health.

"They have a certain condition, and they use. When traditional herbs enter the bloodstream, they mix with the blood and become toxic and affect the kidneys. The kidney can no longer handle this toxicity. Maybe that particular person has used too much, and it becomes acute necrosis. The blood also starts clotting inside the kidney, and the kidney will just not function. We call it acute kidney injury".

While many locals put their faith in traditional remedies to heal certain ailments, Alpo says it is not something to rely on, as many of the used herbs are not approved for use.

"They should refrain from using these types of herbs that are causing injuries to the kidney."