Kajiado County residents have been urged to go for frequent medical check-ups to avoid developing chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Speaking Thursday at the Kajiado County Referral Hospital during celebrations to mark this year’s World Kidney Day, County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health, Alex Kilowua said poor control of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, the major contributors of chronic kidney disease, has resulted in its high prevalence rate.
“High blood pressure and diabetes are the most common causes of chronic kidney disease. Many people are suffering from high blood pressure and diabetes and they are not even aware that is why we are advocating for frequent medical check-ups,” he said.
Kilowua noted that Kidney disease can be prevented and progression to the end stage disease delayed with appropriate access to basic diagnostic and early treatment. He revealed that the renal unit at the county’s referral hospital was fully equipped to cater to patients suffering from CKD and those requiring dialysis.
The CECM added that plans are in place to establish a renal unit at the Loitokitok Sub- County hospital to serve residents who are forced to travel many kilometers to access dialysis at the referral hospital in Kajiado.
According to Noordin Salish, a patient battling CKD, the establishment of a renal unit at the County’s Referral Hospital has enabled many patients access dialysis without travelling many kilometres to the Kenyatta Referral Hospital in Nairobi.
Salish revealed that he was diagnosed with CKD in 2019 and has to undergo dialysis twice a week. He revealed that many people were ignorant about the causes of renal diseases and called for sensitization so as to curb its spread.
Salish added that persons suffering from high blood pressure and diabetes, those with a family history of kidney disease, cigarette smokers and overweight persons are predisposed to developing renal disease.
Chronic Kidney Disease, also known as Chronic Renal Disease, is a long-term condition where the kidneys don’t work as well as they should.
The kidneys become damaged and cannot filter blood well thus excess fluid and waste from blood remain in the body and may cause other health problems, such as heart disease and stroke.
CKD is a silent killer as it is not easily detectable. There are usually no symptoms of kidney disease in the early stages. It may however only be diagnosed if you have a blood or urine test for another reason and the results show a possible problem with your kidneys.
Signs of advancing CKD include; swollen ankles, fatigue, difficulty in concentrating, decreased appetite and foamy urine. The onset and progression of CKD is often preventable. Preventive measures include weight loss, early medical check-ups, control of blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
The World Kidney Day, observed every second Thursday of March is a global campaign aimed at raising awareness on the importance of kidneys to one’s overall health and to reduce the frequency and impact of kidney disease and associated health problems.
By Rop Janet
