World Kidney Day – March 10, Kidney Health for All

Dr. Vishnu R.S, Consultant Nephrologist SUT Hospital, Pattom

Kidney diseases are increasing due to the rise of human life expectancy and lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure. The number of kidney patients worldwide has increased by 30% in the last decade.

17% of the population in India is diagnosed with kidney disease. Of these, eight out of every 1,000 are diagnosed with chronic renal failure (Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 4 & 5), a serious form of kidney disease. According to the survey on 2018, 1,75,000 people are undergoing dialysis. Some statistics show that it is available to only one-third of patients who need dialysis and the remaining succumbs to death. The number of deaths due to kidney disease has doubled from 5Lakh in 1990 to 11Lakh in 2016. We have not been able to reduce the death rate as the population grows.

In this context, the message of this year’s World Kidney Day “Kidney Health for All” is of particular importance to our country. Diagnosis of kidney disease is one of the most difficult times in a person’s life. Kidney disease is often diagnosed in its late stages because the symptoms often do not show up early. The thought that kidney disease is not completely curable often leads to anxiety and depression. This prevents them from fulfilling their family and social responsibilities properly and gradually leads to a state of self-isolation. Kidney patients need to be provided with psychological support while ensuring proper treatment facilities. Kidney disease treatment now focuses on treating the external symptoms of kidney disease and increasing life expectancy. At the same time, increasing the quality of life and bringing them back into the mainstream of society should become an important part of kidney disease treatment. Family of the patient can play an important role in this. Instead of seeing them as a perpetual patient, try to involve them in everything in the family, be it a movie or a trip. Ensure the mental health of patient with the same importance as ensuring that they do not have any physical ailments.

Financial difficulties are often faced by kidney patients often as their medicines and treatment are expensive. Government and non-governmental organizations can do a lot in this regard. If the number of dialysis units in government hospitals can be increased, it will be a relief to poor patients. Suffering from kidney disease at a young age often makes it impossible to continue working with excessive physical activity. Giving them suitable jobs can bring them back to normal life, without relying on others. We need to take into account the psychological and financial hardships of patient as well as their family.

In short, kidney patients are not only facing the physical ailments but also the social, economic and psychological problems that result from it. A good society is one that consider a kidney patient as their father / mother / son / daughter and understand his / her difficulties, sets social and financial remedies for them and enables them to live happily. The time has come for all of us to stand together and strive for it.