World Kidney Day: Frequent Checkups Only Way To End Silent Killer Disease
LHS Nanyuki joined the world to celebrate World Kidney Day on Thursday last week. The annual global event seeks to raise awareness on the importance of kidneys on human health.
Scores of staff turned out for checkups which were dedicated for them this year. In what Renal Unit staff termed as a chance to remember healthcare givers who most of the time are left out to take care of themselves.
The campaign also aims to rause public awarenss of the impact of kidney diseases and their associated problems worldwide.
Kidney disease is a global concern, and Kenya has not been left out. The disease burden has been building up in the country, and may soon pile pressure on public health expenditures and infrastructure such as dialysis capacities that are already scarce.
As it stands, almost half a million Kenyans are living with chronic kidney disease, with more than 12,000 having end-stage kidney disease requiring dialysis. Out of these, only over 5000 are on dialysis, meaning there are thousands in need of the service but are still at large.
The health concerns
The onset and progression of kidney disease is preventable. The rising number of cases aside, an alarming concern is the fact that early chronic kidney disease has no signs or symptoms. A person can lose upto 90 percent of their kidney functions before experiencing any signs.
But even with concerted efforts, healthcare providers are concerned with the low uptake of the simple and cost-effective ways for early detection which involves tests for blood pressure and sugar levels as well as weight checks. High blood pressure are the most common causes of chronic kidney disease in adults, hence the need to have them checked every so often.
With early diagnosis, the worsening of the kidney disease to end-stage kidney disease can be slowed down.
Transplant, the most effective treatment of choice for kidney failure, is costly and out of reach for most Kenyans. For families affected, this can drain fortunes and end up impoverishing them.
Chronic kidney disease is a silent killer, and is projected to be the fifth common cause of premature death globally by 2040.
