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Kidneys are vital organs on which our lives depend.
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Kidneys are as important to life as our lungs, our heart, our
liver or any other vital organ.
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Kidneys remove toxins and waste from the body and ensure that
the body's water content remains in equilibrium.
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If for any reason our kidneys do not work properly, the vital
balance between water, essential salts and toxics waste becomes harmful
and can be life threatening if not treated.
Prevention of kidney disease is important for everyone and simple to do.
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A large proportion of kidney disease can be prevented or its
seriousness reduced through simple measures and precautions that
everyone can take as part of a healthy lifestyle.
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Exercise and a healthy diet help prevent kidney disease.
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It is important to have blood pressure and urine checked regularly.
Kidney disease must be identified and effectively treated as early as
possible.
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It is estimated that 10% of the population have some form of
kidney disease but most are unaware of it.
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Failure to intervene in time increases the risk of future kidney
failure.
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The earlier kidney disease can be diagnosed, the sooner measures
can be taken to prevent progression.
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There is a need to ensure that there is adequate provision of
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BP and urine monitoring services in primary care
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A kidney specialist's opinion in the patients' locality
Timely access to a full range of effective treatment options must be
available to all patients with kidney disease.
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Kidney failure cannot be cured. Kidney function can be replaced
by transplantation, but there is mismatch between patients and available
organs.
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Dialysis can sustain patients waiting (or unsuitable) for a
transplant.
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The number of patients receiving dialysis is increasing at about
10% per annum.
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With growing numbers, development of specialist units must keep
pace with demand.
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