‘Kidney disease common factor in Covid-19 deaths’

Health experts worry ailment spreading rapidly

ISLAMABAD:

The Pakistan Air Force Hospital in Islamabad organised a seminar on World Kidney Day here on Thursday wherein experts mentioned that most of the deceased coronavirus patients had a history of kidney disease.

Speaking on the occasion, Professor Dr Saeed Akhter said kidney diseases are a big challenge in the country, adding that according to recent studies most of the people who died of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19), had a history of kidney disease.

He stated that there is a dire need to create awareness among the people about kidney diseases because “prevention is better than cure”. He added that timely diagnosis of kidney disease was crucial in preventing serious conditions, urging the media to play their role in creating awareness about the disease.

Meanwhile, health experts at the Shifa International Hospital (SIH) said that people at high risk of kidney diseases should consult their doctors to protect them from further medical complications, advising them for timely diagnosis. People with early-stage kidney disease usually have no symptoms and any delay in kidney test can lead to severe medical complications, they maintained in a seminar observing World Kidney Day.

They claimed that chronic kidney disease (CKD) is rapidly growing in Pakistan due to late diagnosis, kidney stone disease, and an increasing number of patients suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure. They further mentioned that Pakistan ranks at number eight in the list of countries with a high rate of kidney diseases with 17 million people suffering from such diseases.

SIH Consultant Nephrologist Dr. Syed Farhat Abbas said that kidney patients should keep their blood pressure on the lower side and manage blood sugar levels while also reduce salt intake and maintain moderate protein consumption.

Another consultant at SIH Dr. Syed Nayer Mahmud said that to protect kidney health, people should know their risks. If one has diabetes or high blood pressure or a family history of kidney failure, they are at higher risk of kidney problems, he added.

Dr. Danyal Hassan, also a consultant at SIH, said that kidneys serve a vital role by filtering waste and excess fluid from the blood and maintaining a healthy balance of water, salts, and minerals. He said that stones are a common cause of chronic kidney disease and drinking two to three litres of boiled or filtered water is the key to prevent stone formation.

Furthermore, health experts Dr. Kiran Khurshid and Dr. Momena Manzoor said that those who are suffering from end-stage kidney disease should be careful about the risk of acquiring hepatitis and other blood-borne infections from dialysis machines and advised them to choose a dialysis unit where proper sanitation is done.

An Associate Consultant Nephrologist Dr. Fareeha Khalil advised that normal people should take care of their kidneys by exercising, weight control and balanced diet, stay hydrated, maintain cholesterol levels, avoid painkillers, get annual physical checkups, and learn about their family medical history.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 12^th, 2021.