World Kidney Day 2025 : Take care of your kidneys, think about screening!
- Posted on 19/03/2025 15:46
- Film
- By abelozih@sante-education.tg
Extract from the article: On 13 March 2025, the whole world came together for World Kidney Day. This year, the theme was ‘Are your kidneys OK? Detecting early, protecting kidney health’ highlights the vital importance of of early detection of kidney disease. The kidneys are t
On 13 March 2025, the whole world came
together for World Kidney Day. This year, the theme was ‘Are your kidneys OK? Detecting
early, protecting kidney health’ highlights the vital importance of of early
detection of kidney disease. The kidneys are the organs responsible for
filtering waste products and excess fluid from the blood, regulating blood,
regulating blood pressure, producing red blood cells and maintaining a healthy and
maintaining electrolyte balance.
The kidney is an organ that plays an indispensable role
in the body. In addition to filter waste products and excess fluids from the
blood to produce urine, it is also also involved in vital functions such as
regulating blood pressure blood pressure, the production of hormones essential
for the formation of red blood cells and maintaining the balance of minerals in
the body.
According to the World Health Organisation, chronic
kidney disease is a major health problem in many countries, accounting for a
significant proportion cause a significant proportion of deaths. In Togo, the
CHU Sylvanus Olympio is currently the only public hospital in Togo to have a
haemodialysis centre. haemodialysis centre. As its capacity is limited, the
waiting list is over 500 patients. At this hospital, renal failure accounts for
accounts for 10% of hospital admissions and 73% of nephrology consultations. Its
location in Lomé makes it very difficult to access emergency and regular
treatment of renal failure for people living in the Savanes, Kara and central
regions of Togo, Kara and central Togo. They have to travel between 400 and 600
km to get there. At Kara University Hospital, renal failure is the sixth
leading cause of death, with a mortality rate of 21.3%. In this hospital, renal
failure represents 10% of hospitalisations and 73% of nephrology consultations.
nephrology consultations.
Faced with this reality, the Togolese Federation of Organisations Fighting Against Maladies Non Transmissibles (FETOL-MNT) is launching an urgent call for action. It stresses the urgent need to step up awareness-raising campaigns about risk factors for kidney disease, improve access to early detection and promote and promote healthy lifestyles. On this occasion, FETOL-MNT also stresses the need to regulate the use of traditional medicines and ensure and to ensure rigorous medical monitoring for people at risk.
Prevention and action
Whether acute be acute or chronic, these diseases can
have serious consequences on health. health consequences. Risk factors such as
diabetes, hypertension obesity and smoking are major threats to kidney health.
To prevent kidney disease, it is essential to adopt a
healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular physical activity,
moderate alcohol consumption moderate alcohol consumption and stopping smoking.
Early detection is also crucial in slowing or even halting the progression of
kidney disease. of kidney disease. Simple tests such as measuring blood
pressure urinalysis to detect proteins and checking the level of creatinine in
the blood. Creatinine levels can help detect kidney problems at an early stage.
At an early stage. Avoiding self-medication and the use
of magic potions potions can have harmful effects on the kidneys. In such
cases, it is essential to consult a health professional for any health problem.
problems.
The World Kidney Day calls for global awareness and concrete action to protect our kidneys, the pillars of our health. actions to protect our kidneys, the pillars of our health.
Esther KOLANI
