Region 11 ranks 4th for new renal disease patients

By Frances Mae Gevera-Macapagat

DAVAO CITY  March 7 (PIA) – Davao region turned out fourth in the entire Philippines for having the most number of new renal disease patients as declared by the Philippine Renal Disease Registry 2010.

This region recorded 537 new patients in 2010 following the high cases in National Capital Region, Region 3, and Region 4.

Dr. Theresa Bad-ang of the Philippine Society of Nephrology attributed this growing number of patients detected with renal disease to be caused by unhealthy lifestyle and other diseases that usually result to renal failure like diabetes and hypertension.

“ Davao may be identified as having one of the most number of new renal disease cases because we are the center of Mindanao . Everybody’s coming here to get diagnosed and get treated.” she explained.

Albeit alarming, nephrologists like Bad-ang sees the need to further intensify the campaign on renal disease awareness as this could help prevent the onset of End Stage Kidney Disease in patients suffering renal problems.

The Philippine Society of Nephrology together with patients having renal diseases will join the World Kidney Day tomorrow, March 8, at SM City Entertainment Center as they will converge and discuss issues concerning renal disease.

This year’s celebration of the World Kidney Day is aimed 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 worldwide.

It will highlight that diabetes and high blood pressure are key risk factors for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and that systematic screening of all patients with diabetes and hypertension should be encouraged.

Governments are also urged to take action and invest in further kidney screening since health authorities will have to deal with high and escalating costs if no action is taken to treat the growing number of people with CKD. (PIA 11/Frances Mae Gevera-Macapagat)