Semaine du Rein 2025

The Internal Medicine Department of the University Hospital of Mirebalais (HUM, Mirebalais, Haiti) in collaboration with the Department of Pediatrics and the Department of Medical Education is pleased to inform you that on the occasion of World Kidney Day, March 13, 2025, we are organizing a week dedicated to kidney health, the Second Edition of Kidney Week.

The theme chosen for this year: “Are your kidneys OK? Early detection, protect kidney health.”

The activities will run from March 8 to 13, 2025, during which time we intend to carry out:

1.    An awareness campaign: in churches, vocational schools and universities, local radio stations, social networks;

2.    Screening sessions for kidney disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes;

3.    Information and awareness-raising workshops;

4.    A day of conferences on March 13, where various presenters will have to talk about topics related to the central theme of the World Kidney Day.

Kidney diseases evolve quietly and kill; These main causes, in particular diabetes and high blood pressure, are themselves very often silent. Hence the importance of implementing a real policy of screening and systematic management of these diseases. Indeed, according to a prospective study carried out in 2014 by Burkhalter et al. on a population of 608 patients at the Albert Schweitzer Hospital (HAS, Deschapelles, Artibonite, Haiti), it was noted that 27% of this population had chronic kidney disease, and among them almost half (i.e. 49.2%) of this population were hypertensive and 36.3% diabetic. Data from EMMUS-VI (2017, Haiti) reveal that, among the adult Haitian population aged 35 to 64, 49% of women and 38% of men have high blood pressure counts. This reflects the weight that this problem represents within the Haitian population. Hence the importance of this awareness, information and reflection campaign.

 Thus, the following themes will be addressed during our awareness campaign:

1.    The importance of the kidneys at the level of the body,

2.    How kidney disease manifests itself,

3.    The diseases responsible for kidney attack,

4.    How to prevent them,

5.    The challenges of kidney replacement treatment,

6.    The burden of this disease for patients and their families.

We are very hopeful for a change in national policy on kidney disease and better attitudes among the population.