World Kidney Day: Bridge the Knowledge Gap

This year, The World Kidney Day Joint Steering Committee has selected the theme of “Kidney Health for All”. It aims to bridge the knowledge gaps to better kidney care by raising awareness about chronic kidney disease at all levels of kidney care.

On this occasion, Dr. Bilal Shahzad, one of the nephrologists at the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (SKMCH&RC), Lahore, said, “According to an estimate, 1 in 10 adults worldwide has chronic kidney disease. Kidney disease related mortality continues to increase yearly and in order to address this issue we need to bridge the persistent knowledge gap on this subject amongst healthcare workers and the public. In cancer patients, kidney disease can be a pre-existing condition or a consequence of cancer. At our hospitals in Lahore and in Peshawar, a multidisciplinary collaboration between oncologists and nephrologists plays a key-role in preventing and managing kidney disease in cancer patients.”

Commenting on the prevention of kidney disease, Dr. Bilal Shahzad said, “It is important that people understand that the biggest cause of kidney disease worldwide is diabetes mellitus and high blood pressure. Embracing a healthy lifestyle by quitting smoking, exercising regularly, consuming a balanced diet, avoiding self-medication, and following the advice of your doctors to help control blood pressure and sugar levels is the best way to keep your kidneys healthy. If you have any new or ongoing kidney problems, do not delay seeking treatment for the sake of your overall health”.