The disruption to Sanchadev’s care is a grim illustration of the human impact of ransomware attacks on critical systems already under strain. The UK’s National Health Service is beloved but already on its knees financially, according to a recent analysis. — AFP
Regular blood tests are critical for 46-year-old Londoner Amit Sanchadev, who relies on dialysis to keep him alive after his only functioning kidney failed in 2016.
He wakes up at 6am three times a week to plug himself into a home hemodialysis machine that acts as an artificial kidney, cleaning his blood of harmful waste products over about three hours. At least once a month, he sends a blood sample via bike courier to nearby King’s College Hospital for testing, to ensure the dialysis is working. An untreated spike in certain blood chemicals can lead to painful symptoms or even heart failure.
