13/03/2024
World Kidney Day observed, tomorrow
By Ministry of Health
On March 14, the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs will join with the rest of the world in commemorating World Kidney Day.
World Kidney Day (WKD) provides a global platform to raise awareness of the importance of our kidneys to overall health and to reduce the frequency and impact of kidney disease and its associated health problems.
The high burden of kidney disease, global disparities in kidney care, and poor outcomes of kidney failure bring a growing burden of care for affected individuals, their families, caregivers and the community as a whole.
To date, over 850 million people worldwide suffer from some form of Kidney Disease, which increases every year. This means that approximately, one (1) in ten (10) people, are living with chronic kidney disease. This condition is the gradual loss of the kidneys’ ability to perform essential functions, and can be caused by high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, smoking and other risk factors.
In Saint Lucia, as of February 2024, there were 187 people living with end-stage renal failure and on dialysis. It is important that our health systems make every effort to meet the health care needs of people living with and affected by kidney failure.
One key strategy was the establishment of the Nephrology Clinic at the Primary Healthcare Services at the Micoud Wellness Center of Excellence, for the Management of Non-Communicable Diseases in March 2023.
In addition, the Ministry of Health seeks to encourage every Saint Lucian to adopt healthy lifestyle practices such as increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables, decreasing your intake of salty foods, replacing sugary drinks with water and exercising at least thirty (30) minutes a day 3-4 times a week. Initiating these healthy lifestyle choices, early and consistently, can reduce your risk of developing kidney failure, along with other chronic health conditions.
This World Kidney Day, let’s unite to become a nation that embraces, builds healthy living and promotes environments to manage, uplift persons living with and prevent kidney disease. For more information, please contact the Bureau of Health Education, at the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs at telephone number 468-5349.
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