The world kidney day is celebrated each year to bring awareness about chronic kidney disease. People from all walks of life are screened for kidney disease. This year kidney day was observed by SIUT at three centers – Karachi, Sukkur and Kathore. In all 982 people underwent physical examination, blood and urine tests and ultrasound of the kidneys.
The results revealed an alarming rise of risk factors for chronic kidney disease in our population. Results of 982 people screened in 2013 when compared to results of the past four years particularly 2009 showed that the number of overweight and obese people increased from 28% in 2009 to 41% in 2013 and hypertension increased from 15% to 24%. There is also an increase of diabetes from 12% to 16% and renal stones from 6% to 7.5%. Chronic kidney disease was diagnosed in 3.6% as compared to 2.5% in 2009. SIUT is the only center which provides free screening including blood, urine and ultrasound tests and affected people are given consultation by dieticians and physicians.
There is an urgent need to bring awareness about hypertension, diabetes and obesity in our population as these are the main risk factors for chronic kidney diseases. If this problem is not addressed the present figure of 18,000 new cases per year of end stage renal failure will rise to where the only treatment is dialysis and kidney transplantation. The government, media and social organizations are requested to help and support in awareness programmes to control these major health problems.