DOHA: With an increase in incidence of kidney disease, every year at least 250 to 300 new patients are on dialysis in Qatar, according to a senior official of the Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC).
Kidney disease occurs in one in 10 people, especially among people with chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension, said Dr Hassan Al Malki, head of Nephrology Department at HMC.
“Diabetes and hypertension are main causes of kidney disorders in Qatar like in other countries,” he said at a press conference yesterday.
In this backdrop, HMC will hold awareness activities to mark this year’s World Kidney Day (WKD) being observed worldwide under the theme ‘Kidney Health for All.’
WKD aims to raise awareness of the importance of kidneys to overall health and to reduce the frequency and impact of kidney disease and its associated health problems, especially among people with chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.
The WKD awareness activities to be held at Hamad General Hospital, Al Wakra Hospital and Al Khor Hospital will feature educational programmes including informative sessions about kidney health and diets, the distribution of informative pamphlets as well as screening for diabetes and hypertension.
As part of this year’s WKD campaign, a walkathon is being organised in conjunction with Katara which will take place tomorrow.
Students from local schools, Qatar University and Weil Cornell Medical College in Qatar will participate in the walkathon.
Hassan Al Hail, Assistant Executive Director of HMC’s Corporate Communications, spoke on behalf of Ali Abdulla Al Khater, Executive Director of HMC’s Corporate Communications Department: “Campaigns of this type are focused on educating the public about general healthy living habits, and for kidney health in particular, the prevention of disease and on how to manage it if and when it occurs.”
WKD events will be sponsored by Ooredoo which has a strong history of supporting Hamad Medical Corporation in its work to prevent and manage kidney disease, including funding the opening of the Fahad bin Jassim Kidney Center.
“Every day people of all backgrounds throughout Qatar suffer from acute and chronic kidney disease. There are also a high number of risks which can cause kidney problems in our
society.
“We support a broad range of healthcare initiatives and our support to the activities of WKD is part of our strategy,” said Fatima Sultan Al Kuwari, Director, Community and Public Relations, Ooredoo.
Also, a two-day scientific seminar will take place on March 22 and March 23 featuring topics ranging from kidney health to the link between kidney disease and diabetes.
The Peninsula
