The Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) on Thursday celebrated the World Kidney Day with an event to spread awareness on kidney diseases as part of worldwide celebrations.
The World Kidney Day is a joint initiative of International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations (IFKF) and is celebrated on the 8th of March.
This year the theme of the day is “Donate – Kidneys for Life – Receive”.
Speaking at the ceremony, SIUT Director Prof Dr Adib Rizvi said that every year 50,000 people suffer from organ failure, out of which 15,000 suffer from renal failure. “Pakistan has a law for deceased organ donation and if we start cadaver organ donation, we can save a majority of patients suffering from renal, liver, heart and lung failure.”
SIUT Nephrology Assistant Professor Dr Sajid Bhatti said that yearly increase in incidence of renal failure is being witnessed and world over about 250 to 300 million people suffer from renal failure. “There is an increase in incidence of diabetes and hypertension leading to chronic renal failure. There is 40 percent rise in incidence per year and urgent need exists for early detection through blood and urine tests and ultrasound of kidneys,” he added.
Diabetes specialist at SIUT Dr Imran stated that 366 million people suffer from diabetes in the world and by the year 2030, this number will increase to 552 million, of which 80 percent belong to the middle and lower income groups. “Pakistan will be the 10th largest country of the world having diabetic patients,” he said. “It is necessary to control diabetes to prevent chronic renal failure.”
Speaking on the occasion, SIUT’s paediatric nephrologist Dr Seema Hashmi said if the disease is diagnosed and treated in its early stages, the lives of children suffering from chronic kidney diseases and hypertension can be saved.
Dr Munawar Khaliq gave an overview of formation of stones in the body. “Stones are a major cause of renal failure in this part of the world and with adequate oral hydration, we can minimise this ailment.”
Sabeen, a dietician at SIUT, said that obesity is one of the main reasons of cardiac diseases, diabetes and hypertension. “Obesity is preventable and the national health survey of 1990 to 1994 revealed that obesity is more common in urban population especially amongst females.”
She said a balance between physical activity and diet can help to prevent obesity and its related diseases.
