World Kidney Day celebrated
the world over aims to raise awareness of the importance of our kidneys to our
overall health in the hope of a reduction in the frequency and impact of kidney
disease and its associated health problems. The prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease is
increasing dramatically and the cost of treatment poses an enormous burden on
healthcare systems worldwide. About 1 in 10 people have some form of
kidney damage, and every year millions die prematurely of complications related
to kidney disease.
This
year too, the theme targets a population that is destined to grow in our
country with the anticipated longevity of our people. The carefully selected
theme for 2014 - Chronic Kidney Disease
(CKD) and Aging – is the need of the hour.
Dr. Alan Almeida, Head-Nephrology Department, P.D. Hinduja Hospital
said, “Many still underestimate or do not know the ‘value of our kidneys’.
Diabetes and high blood pressure are key risk factors in the development of
Chronic Kidney Disease. This would definitely be a point in favour of
systematic screening of all patients with diabetes and hypertension for CKD - an
ounce of prevention being better than a pound of cure, preventive behaviours
ought to be encouraged.”
He further said that medical professionals should be educated on the
fact that they have a key role in detection and reducing the risk of CKD in
high-risk populations. “This endeavor would definitely yield greater fruits if
medical professions are supported by local and national bodies to control this
CKD epidemic.”
Escalating costs would outstrip health budgets. If detected early,
Chronic Kidney Diseases can be treated, thereby reducing other complications
and dramatically reducing the growing burden of deaths and disability from
chronic renal and cardiovascular disease worldwide. In the event that kidney
failure occurs, Transplantation would be the best outcome option and the act of
organ donation as a life-saving initiative.
World Kidney Day is a joint initiative of the International Society of
Nephrology (ISN) and International Federation of Kidney Foundations (IFKF) to
achieve the objectives spelt out before. World Kidney Day started in 2006 and
has not stopped growing ever since.