Hemodialysis during Lockdown Due to Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic in Eastern Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The first case of Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was confirmed in the city of Qatif in March 2020. As a result, Qatif was placed under lockdown for two months in an attempt to prevent the widespread of COVID-19. Doing hemodialysis (HD) during lockdown was a new and challenging experience that we recently have faced. Swift arrangements were made to accommodate patients with end-stage renal disease in need for HD. The challenges to healthcare facilities, healthcare providers, and patients are discussed with the hope that this experience would help mitigate some of the difficulties healthcare providers may face in a similar situation.