Patel Hospital, Karachi celebrated “World Kidney Day” on Friday, March 14, 2014. Every year World Kidney Day is observed to raise awareness of the importance of kidneys to our overall health and to reduce the frequency and impact of kidney disease and its associated health problems worldwide. This year, our focus is on Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and aging. CKD can develop at any age but it becomes more common with increasing age.
A Public Awareness Camp was organized to raise awareness, encourage prevention and education to fight kidney disease and overcome this major public health issue. Approximately 1400 people including women and children were taught through posters and educational flyers about 8 golden rules for healthy kidneys and were asked to drink adequate water especially in the morning. All participants were served, a glass of water to drink at the stall of “Start Your Day with A Glass of Water”.
A CME session regarding “Approach to Chronic Kidney Disease” was also arranged at Patel Hospital to elaborate significance of early screening and control of risk factors in preventing chronic kidney disease. The session was attended by general practitioners, trainee residents, doctors, house officers, paramedical staff and health representatives from corporate sectors.
Dr. Syed Farrukh Umair (Consultant Nephrologist, Patel Hospital) emphasized on early screening and referral to Nephrologist in addition to control of blood pressures and sugar levels in case of hypertensive and diabetic patients respectively, which is essential in slowing advancement of renal disease. He also discussed other risk factors of kidney disease which are common in our population and told the audience that how simple blood and urine tests can be beneficial in diagnosing and preventing kidney failure. He further added that drinking inadequate water, smoking and regular use of analgesics such NSAIDs can lead to irreversible kidney damage.
The chief guest, Dr. Kunwer Naveed Mukhtar, Head of Nephrology Department, Liaquat National Hospital & Medical College stressed on strict control of hypertension and diabetes, avoidance of unnecessary intake of analgesics, early screening of women with complications during pregnancy and prompt treatment of urinary tract stones and infections.
Dr. Mazhar Nizam, Medical Director, Patel Hospital said that these educational programs should be conducted more often to help general practitioner and doctors to provide better primary health care in the community and provide awareness to general population regarding common causes of kidney disease.
