World Kidney Day: Early detection, prevention of diabetes, hypertension can prevent kidney diseases’

LAHORE: Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute and Research Center (PKLI&RC) conducted a walk on March 14 to observe ‘World Kidney Day 2019’ with the aim to raise awareness about preventive measures to lower the risks of kidney diseases.

People from various walks of life participated in the walk. The partakers said they had gained useful information from medical specialists’ talks on symptoms of kidney diseases, modern preventive measures, and treatments being provided at the hospital.

PKLI’s Medical Director and COO Dr Amer Yar Khan, Director Medical Education Dr Hafiz Ijaz and several other staff members of the hospital participated in the event. PKLI has effectively served nearly 13 lac patient interactions so far.

PKLI’s surgeons have conducted approximately 1,300 major and minor surgeries, including 27 kidney transplants. More than 8,000 dialysis services have been provided to patients.

In view of a huge load of kidney diseases in Pakistan, PKLI is determined to keep taking steps to fulfill its mission of spreading awareness about disease prevention in order to eliminate life-threatening diseases.

Meanwhile, ‘World Kidney Day’ was celebrated by adult and peads nephrology department at King Edward Medical University and Mayo Hospital. KEMU Vice-Chancellor Prof Khalid Masood Gondal was the chief guest. A walk was done followed by seminar on awareness about kidney diseases and their prevention.

Mayo Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Tahir Khalil, KEMU Registrar Prof Arshad Ahmed Qureshi, Prof of Neurology Athar Javed, Prof Sajid Ubaidullah, Prof Abrar Ashraf, Prof Ayesha Shaukat, Prof M Anees Prof of Nephrology and Prof Iftikhar Ejaz Prof of Peads Nephrology and faculty of KEMU attended the walk and seminar. The seminar was followed by free-screening camp for adults and peads patients for kidney diseases in which BP, weight, height, blood sugar level, cholesterol, uric acid, urine complete examination and serum creatinine of patients was done free of cost for 300 patients.

The VC KEMU, while talking at the seminar, emphasised the importance of prevention of kidney diseases by early detection and control of diabetes and hypertension.

He advised general public to avoid self-medication and use of pain killers. Prof Muhammad Anees highlighted the importance of preventing kidney diseases as cost of treatment by dialysis and transplant is 40 to 50 thousand rupees per month which is too much for a developing country like Pakistan.

The World Kidney Day 2019 was also observed at Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore. In this connection, the Department of Nephrology organised different activities to create awareness among general public about causes, treatment and prevention of kidney diseases. Prof Dr Waqar Ahmad, Prof Aizaz Mand, Dr Mateen and Administrator Dr Akbar Hussain along with doctors, nurses and paramedics participated in the activities.

The Principal Ameerud-din Medical College Prof Mohammad Tayyab, while addressing the awareness walk and seminar held at LGH, said kidneys were much important for human lives and like heart if kidneys stop working then it would be pretty hard to live.

Prof of Urology Dr Mohammad Nazeer, Head of Nephrology, Dr Aurangzeb Afzal, MS of LGH Dr Mahmud Salahud-din, Prof Sardar Fareed Zafar and others attended.

The theme of this year was “Kidneys’ health for all” while the participants of the walk were carrying placards and banners written slogans regarding importance of kidneys’ health, complications, prevention and their treatment to save themselves.

Principal Prof Mohammad Tayyab said around 800 million people were caught of kidney diseases all over the world and everyday this number is increasing. He said every person should not ignore pain in kidneys, stones, prostrates, problem in urine and disease of gall bladder and take it seriously from the day one.

Prof Sardar called on the civil society, media, ulema and medical persons to play role in creating awareness among masses in this regard and take it as national duty. Prof. Mohammad Nazeer, Dr. Aurangzeb Afzal and other speakers highlighted the indications of the diseases of kidneys and said that swelling on feet and face at morning time, lack of eating, urine problems, pain in gall bladder and breathing problems are major one in this regard while diabetes and high blood pressure also become the reason for the failure of kidneys.

Dr Mahmud said by the cost of six crore rupees the facilities of Urology Department had been upgraded at LGH where now separate medical services are available for male and female patients.