Lisa Isaacs
WITH Chronic Kidney Disease predicted to increase around the world by 17 percent over the next decade, there is a long road ahead to raise awareness about the dangers of kidney disease.
Already, 10 percent of the world’s population suffers some form of kidney damage, the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations (IFKF) say.
The health bodies jointly organise the annual World Kidney Day (WKD) marked around the globe on Thursday.
This year’s theme of “Kidney Disease and Children” aims to raise awareness about kidney diseases from an early age.
The ISN and IFKF said in a statement that, in childhood, the leading causes of kidney failure in children often lack obvious indicators like blood in urine, high blood pressure or swelling.
They said it was then crucial that education, early detection and a healthy lifestyle in children were facilitated and encouraged.
Department of Medicine at Stellenbosch University Ministerial Advisory Committee head member on Transplantation, Professor Rafique Moosa, said locally there was a shortage of trained health professionals, with 1.1 kidney specialists for every million people.
There was also a shortage of funds and the high price of dialysis – treatment costs approximately R200 000 per patient per year – added to the problem.
Moosa also said there were only 4.7 out of every million South Africans that are organ donors.
The National Kidney Foundation of South Africa says that five million people will develop some form of kidney disease.
The spokesperson for SA’s Kidney Foundation, Fanie du Toit said it was especially important to not only have a reactionary response to kidney disease but to focus on preventative measures.
“About 14 percent of school children around the age of 17 have high blood pressure.
“And kidney disease is an expensive disease to treat. This is why we need to focus on prevention,” he said.
The Foundation says that blood pressure should be below 130/80 and should be checked once a year. If you have a family history of high blood pressure, this should be checked more often.
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