Press Release

• Training center will significantly improve access to services and treatment for dialysis patients in Kailua, Kaneohe and surrounding communities 
• Patients will receive hands-on training with NxStage’s home hemodialysis systems, which can be used for treatment at home or while traveling 
• This unique system eliminates the risk of treatment disruptions during emergency situations 

Windward O‘ahu, Hawaiʻi (May 28, 2024) Liberty Dialysis Hawaii, an affiliate of Fresenius Medical Care, has opened the first patient training center for home hemodialysis in Windward O‘ahu, improving access to life-sustaining kidney disease treatment for area residents. Fresenius Medical Care (FME) is the world’s leading provider of products and services for individuals with kidney diseases. The new center is located at 25 Kaneohe Bay Drive, #230, Kailua, Hawaiʻi. 

“We are happy to establish this training center to expand patient services and treatments for kamaʻāina in Kailua, Kaneohe and surrounding communities,” said Jamela Casica, Clinical Manager at the center. “Home hemodialysis is a great option for people with chronic kidney disease who require additional flexibility that matches their lifestyles.” 

The training center will provide patients with hands-on training with NxStage systems, which are state-of-the-art portable dialysis machines for treatment at home or while traveling. NxStage is the only home dialysis system that allows for pre-prepared batch fluid, removing the risk of treatment disruptions during water supply issues, natural disasters, and other emergencies. 

“Home dialysis allows patients to receive life-sustaining treatment in the comfort of their homes, on a schedule that works best for their medical and lifestyle priorities,” said Dr. Dinesh Chatoth, Chief Clinical Officer at Fresenius Kidney Care. “With the proper education, training, and support, we can help most patients thrive on home dialysis.” 

Dialysis is a treatment for kidney failure that rids the body of unwanted toxins, waste products, and excess fluids by filtering the blood, essentially replacing some of the lost kidney function. When kidneys fail, they are no longer able to filter the blood. Patients must either receive a kidney transplant, perform their dialysis treatments at home, or receive in center dialysis treatment three times a week.

Many experts agree that home dialysis—either peritoneal or hemodialysis—is the best option aside from transplant for treating kidney failure. Choosing home dialysis can mean fewer food restrictions, greater scheduling flexibility, less frequent transportation challenges, and better outcomes. 

About 1 in 7 adults in the U.S. have chronic kidney disease, with many not detecting the condition until they have lost more than 96 percent of their kidney function. Symptoms and warning signs for late-stage kidney disease include changes in urination, fatigue, swelling in hands or feet, and pain in the small of the back. Physicians recommend that people who are at risk for CKD are screened at least once a year. About 700,000 Americans live with kidney failure, which requires either a transplant or dialysis to remove waste from the blood, maintain safe levels of potassium and sodium, and control blood pressure.

About Fresenius Medical Care:
Fresenius Medical Care is the world's leading provider of products and services for individuals with renal diseases of which around 4.1 million patients worldwide regularly undergo dialysis treatment. Through its network of 3,862 dialysis clinics, Fresenius Medical Care provides dialysis treatments for approx. 325,000 patients around the globe. Fresenius Medical Care is also the leading provider of dialysis products such as dialysis machines or dialyzers. Fresenius Medical Care is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FME) and on the New York Stock Exchange (FMS).

Disclaimer:
This release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements due to various factors, including, but not limited to, changes in business, economic and competitive conditions, legal changes, regulatory approvals, impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic results of clinical studies, foreign exchange rate fluctuations, uncertainties in litigation or investigative proceedings, and the availability of financing. These and other risks and uncertainties are detailed in Fresenius Medical Care’s reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Fresenius Medical Care does not undertake any responsibility to update the forward-looking statements in this release.