ID :
50207
Thu, 03/12/2009 - 18:19
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/50207
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ARE YOUR KIDNEYS HEALTHY?
By Nurul Halawati Mohd Azhari
KUALA LUMPUR, March 11 (Bernama) -- Thursday is the World Kidney Day (WKD),
commemorated annually since 2006, that serves as a reminder to the public on why
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) should be avoided at all cost.
CKD is a silent disease that afflicts more people than anyone can imagine
with one out of 10 adults in the world suffering some form of damage to the
kidneys, often mainly due to high blood pressure and diabetes.
In Malaysia, by 2010 the number of patients with CKD is expected to increase
to nearly 20,000 compared to 17,000 in year 2007.
These patients generally have reduced life expectancy, face higher risk of
heart attacks and blood vessel related diseases as well as sudden deaths.
"It is for this reason that medical experts have categorised kidney
diseases as an important independent contributor to cardiac and blood vessel
related diseases," said Dr Ghazali Ahmad, the National Advisor and Head of
Nephrology Services, Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Senior Consultant and
Head, Department of Nephrology, Hospital Kuala Lumpur.
CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASES
Those afflicted by CKD will have to undergo kidney transplant or dialysis if
they are to extend their life span.
Currently, the government realising the high cost of dialysis subsidises the
cost for the needy patients who qualify under the guidelines set by the MOH.
According to Dr Ghazali, the increase in the number of CKD patients has set
new challenges in cost and productivity. The estimated total cost of dialysis
treatment in Malaysia in 2007 was nearly RM300 million.
"Assuming that all the patients undergo hemodialysis three times weekly with
per session taking up to four hours, the country stands to lose about 13 million
man-hours per year. By 2010, the estimated 20,000 patients will need more
consultant nephrologists, trained and qualified nurses to perform safe and
effective dialysis treatment on them," he added.
The patients will also need more suitable and safe physical space for the
treatment to be carried out.
Dr Ghazali noted that while access and funding for dialysis treatment is
relatively easy, access to trained manpower remains a great challenge.
IN NEED OF MORE MANPOWER
He pointed out that currently 70 trained kidney specialists nationwide look
after more than 400 hemodialysis units, but each specialist would have to take
care of an average of 20 patients on regular dialysis at any time.
In addition, these specialists also have to attend to patients with various
types of kidney ailments.
"Even if we have unlimited funding for dialysis to pay for every patient, we
cannot treat them all. At least not safely and effectively without adequate
trained nurses and consultant nephrologists," added Dr Ghazali.
Hence, the task and thrust of health experts caring after kidney patients
have to be revised from just detecting kidney diseases and treating them
to preventing kidney diseases in the first place.
PREVENTION BETTER THAN CURE
The bad effects of high blood pressure on the kidneys in persons with
diabetes is worse compared to persons suffering from high blood pressure only.
In patients with diabetes, the blood pressure problem must be treated beforehand
to prevent CKD.
Meanwhile, the National Kidney Foundation of Malaysia (NKF) believes early
detection and prevention of kidney disease is the way forward in finding a
solution for the alarming rise in the number of new dialysis patients.
NKF's Chairman Dr S.S. Gill noted that the remedy is not in opening up new
dialysis centres, but to educate and inform the public to take steps to change
their lifestyles and eating habits.
"NKF believes regular health screening for Malaysians is the first step to
check on the state of their health.
"Fortunately, we can detect CKD disease early on and detection is easy.
Simple, inexpensive test of our urine, blood and blood pressure can show early
signs of kidney problems.
"Once we know these problems, we can slow down and even stop the progression
to CKD. We can start by taking the right medicine to control blood pressure,
improving control of diabetes and changing some of our lifestyle habits," he
said.
WORLD KIDNEY DAY 2009
WKD 2009 is celebrated for the fourth year in more than 100 countries across
six continents with the purpose of raising awareness on the vital role of our
kidneys and to spread the message that CKD is common, harmful and treatable.
This year, the focus is on the importance of kidneys and calls the public
to check if they are at risk of kidney ailments. The campaign hopes to raise
awareness on the importance of early and comprehensive screening for those in
the high risk categories.
This year's theme, Amazing Kidneys "Are Yours Healthy?" reflect the vital
role played by the kidneys to filter and clean 200 litres of blood daily as well
as to regulate blood pressure. As part of this year's campaign, the tagline
"Keep your pressure down" highlights the benefits of better blood pressure
control in slowing down the progression of CKD.
The 2009 WKD celebrations in Malaysia is held in collaboration with the
NKF, the Malaysian Society of Nephrology (MSN) and MOH with the hope of
successfully mobilising members of the public, medical and patient groups to
participate in a series of activities planned throughout this month.
-- BERNAMA
KUALA LUMPUR, March 11 (Bernama) -- Thursday is the World Kidney Day (WKD),
commemorated annually since 2006, that serves as a reminder to the public on why
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) should be avoided at all cost.
CKD is a silent disease that afflicts more people than anyone can imagine
with one out of 10 adults in the world suffering some form of damage to the
kidneys, often mainly due to high blood pressure and diabetes.
In Malaysia, by 2010 the number of patients with CKD is expected to increase
to nearly 20,000 compared to 17,000 in year 2007.
These patients generally have reduced life expectancy, face higher risk of
heart attacks and blood vessel related diseases as well as sudden deaths.
"It is for this reason that medical experts have categorised kidney
diseases as an important independent contributor to cardiac and blood vessel
related diseases," said Dr Ghazali Ahmad, the National Advisor and Head of
Nephrology Services, Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Senior Consultant and
Head, Department of Nephrology, Hospital Kuala Lumpur.
CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASES
Those afflicted by CKD will have to undergo kidney transplant or dialysis if
they are to extend their life span.
Currently, the government realising the high cost of dialysis subsidises the
cost for the needy patients who qualify under the guidelines set by the MOH.
According to Dr Ghazali, the increase in the number of CKD patients has set
new challenges in cost and productivity. The estimated total cost of dialysis
treatment in Malaysia in 2007 was nearly RM300 million.
"Assuming that all the patients undergo hemodialysis three times weekly with
per session taking up to four hours, the country stands to lose about 13 million
man-hours per year. By 2010, the estimated 20,000 patients will need more
consultant nephrologists, trained and qualified nurses to perform safe and
effective dialysis treatment on them," he added.
The patients will also need more suitable and safe physical space for the
treatment to be carried out.
Dr Ghazali noted that while access and funding for dialysis treatment is
relatively easy, access to trained manpower remains a great challenge.
IN NEED OF MORE MANPOWER
He pointed out that currently 70 trained kidney specialists nationwide look
after more than 400 hemodialysis units, but each specialist would have to take
care of an average of 20 patients on regular dialysis at any time.
In addition, these specialists also have to attend to patients with various
types of kidney ailments.
"Even if we have unlimited funding for dialysis to pay for every patient, we
cannot treat them all. At least not safely and effectively without adequate
trained nurses and consultant nephrologists," added Dr Ghazali.
Hence, the task and thrust of health experts caring after kidney patients
have to be revised from just detecting kidney diseases and treating them
to preventing kidney diseases in the first place.
PREVENTION BETTER THAN CURE
The bad effects of high blood pressure on the kidneys in persons with
diabetes is worse compared to persons suffering from high blood pressure only.
In patients with diabetes, the blood pressure problem must be treated beforehand
to prevent CKD.
Meanwhile, the National Kidney Foundation of Malaysia (NKF) believes early
detection and prevention of kidney disease is the way forward in finding a
solution for the alarming rise in the number of new dialysis patients.
NKF's Chairman Dr S.S. Gill noted that the remedy is not in opening up new
dialysis centres, but to educate and inform the public to take steps to change
their lifestyles and eating habits.
"NKF believes regular health screening for Malaysians is the first step to
check on the state of their health.
"Fortunately, we can detect CKD disease early on and detection is easy.
Simple, inexpensive test of our urine, blood and blood pressure can show early
signs of kidney problems.
"Once we know these problems, we can slow down and even stop the progression
to CKD. We can start by taking the right medicine to control blood pressure,
improving control of diabetes and changing some of our lifestyle habits," he
said.
WORLD KIDNEY DAY 2009
WKD 2009 is celebrated for the fourth year in more than 100 countries across
six continents with the purpose of raising awareness on the vital role of our
kidneys and to spread the message that CKD is common, harmful and treatable.
This year, the focus is on the importance of kidneys and calls the public
to check if they are at risk of kidney ailments. The campaign hopes to raise
awareness on the importance of early and comprehensive screening for those in
the high risk categories.
This year's theme, Amazing Kidneys "Are Yours Healthy?" reflect the vital
role played by the kidneys to filter and clean 200 litres of blood daily as well
as to regulate blood pressure. As part of this year's campaign, the tagline
"Keep your pressure down" highlights the benefits of better blood pressure
control in slowing down the progression of CKD.
The 2009 WKD celebrations in Malaysia is held in collaboration with the
NKF, the Malaysian Society of Nephrology (MSN) and MOH with the hope of
successfully mobilising members of the public, medical and patient groups to
participate in a series of activities planned throughout this month.
-- BERNAMA
