Foundation engages with the public on chronic kidney diseases
As World Kidney Day is observed …
KFG Vice President, Dr. Areefa Alladin.
Kaieteur News – Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) affects about 10 percent of the world’s population (about 700 million people) and causes about 1.5 million deaths each year compared to COVID which has just over 2.5 million of deaths, so far.
CKD is a major public health problem because affected people have reduced life span, reduced quality of life and dialysis failure requires dialysis or transplantation, both of which are not always readily available or costly.
Most of the burden of CKD is among the poorest countries where there is limited access to healthcare, among other factors that make patients more vulnerable.
In the run up to World Kidney Day today, the Guyana Kidney Institute (KFG), a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) involved in sensitizing the public on chronic kidney diseases, provides educational materials for patients and health professionals on disease the kidneys.
The NGO has been taking part in a week of activities aimed at promoting awareness of CKD and building support for patients and families.
According to KFG Vice President, Dr. Areefa Alladin, preventing chronic kidney disease and slowing the progression of CKD could improve the lives of 10 percent of the Guyanese population.
He noted that being diagnosed with kidney disease can be a huge challenge, both for the patient and those around them.
Dr. Alladin said, “the diagnosis and management, especially in advanced stages of kidney disease, are seriously affecting their lives by reducing their ability, and that of their family and friends, to participate in everyday activities like work, travel, and socializing. cause numerous problematic side effects such as fatigue, pain, depression, cognitive impairment, gastrointestinal issues and sleep problems. ”
Dr. emphasized that Alladin also states that “people living with kidney disease tend, most of all, to be able to live well, maintain their role and social functioning, while maintaining a degree of normality and a sense of control over their health and their welfare, ”
“We believe that investing in patient welfare and providing support is a cost-effective strategy that could reduce the need for dialysis and transplantation. We want patients to be more satisfied, engaged and constructive in their treatment, thereby improving clinical outcomes. Patients need to feel that their symptoms are being effectively managed and intrinsically motivated to become active participants in their treatment. Ensuring life involvement is equally important to patients and their care partners, rather than feeling consumed and constrained by kidney disease, ”he added.
As such, Dr. Alladin that the Institute supports the need for consistent, accessible and kidney patient support.
He also explained that the KFG now has people with chronic kidney disease, dialysis and transplant patients and caregivers.
“We believe that patient advocacy and participation is essential for a patient-centered approach to healthcare. We call for more effective and more integrated and holistic symptom management for all patients with kidney disease beyond traditional kidney therapies including effective strategies to identify and manage symptoms that cause suffering, including pain, problems sleep, anxiety, depression, stress, mobility, frailty and others and; ask for more education and management strategies to alleviate these symptoms so that patients and their care partners can have a better health-related quality of life, ”explains Dr. Alladin.
The KFG recently installed a new board that now includes Chairman Major General (R’td). Joseph Singh; Vice Chair, Dr. Alladin; Secretary, Dr. Maranatha Persaud; Assistant Secretary / Treasurer; Nicolas Elliott and Treasurer Omadele Thorne.
Other members include: Dr. Jarrel Watson, Dr. Neil Jafar, Nadine Luthers-Williams, Ivonnna Samaroo, Roshini Razack, Somant Heeralall, Allana Heeralall, Richard Rampersaud, Dr. Kevon Tracy and Dr. Tariq Ramsaroop.
Members of the public can reach out to the KFG on its Guyana Kidney Foundation Facebook page for more information.