World Kidney Day events on March 12 in Athens and Thessaloniki
In Greece, about 1,000,000 Greeks have kidney problems, of which 10% are serious, and over 10,000 patients suffer from chronic end-stage renal disease and submitted to invasive treatments. This was announced by the Hellenic Society of Nephrology (HSN) on the occasion of the events that it is organizing this year in Athens and Thessaloniki on March 12, in frames of the World Kidney Day.
Aiming to raise public awareness and alerting about the seriousness of the disease and the need for prevention and early identification, in this year’s program, HSN will focus on “Kidney Health for All Around the World – From Prevention to Equal Access Diagnosis ». On Thursday, March 12, will conduct free preventive kidney medical examinations in special kiosks for citizens. This facility will be available from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm in the park in front of the General Hospital Evaggelismos on Vasilissis Sofias Street in Athens and Aristotelous Square on Ermou Street in Thessaloniki. Specialied doctors and nurses will inform the public and examine anyone who wants it completely free of charge.
The President of the HSN and former Director of the Hospital Evaggelismos Dr. Theophanis Apostolou on World Kidney Day emphasized to : “The problem of chronic kidney disease is very serious in Greece. This is because diseases such as obesity, blood pressure and diabetes are constantly on the rise and are the ones predisposed to end-stage renal disease and reduced survival of patients. So Diagnosis and Prevention of Kidney Disease is a prime objective for the good health of the general population. We are expecting citizens on March 12 to visit our two booths kiosks in Athens and Thessaloniki, for a free preventive nephrology screening – assessment because prevention and diagnostics save lives. ”
The goal of World Kidney Day, which is celebrated since 2006 every year on the second Thursday in March, is to raise public awareness of the effects of chronic kidney disease. The campaign is a joint initiative of the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations (IFKF). In Greece, the campaign is supported by the Hellenic Society of Nephrology, which collaborates with the above International Organizations and health professionals, organizing awareness campaigns on kidney disease.
Theofanis Apostolou MD,PhD
President of HSN
