Welcome to Hamad Medical Corporation’s Website to Mark World Kidney Day 2024.
HMC’s Nephrology Department is joining this year’s international activities to mark World Kidney Day on 14 March 2024.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is estimated to affect more than 850 million people worldwide and resulted in over 3.1 million deaths in 2019. Presently, kidney disease ranks as the 8th leading cause of death, and if left unaddressed, it is projected to be the fifth leading cause of years of life lost by 2040.
The World Kidney Day Joint Steering Committee has declared 2024 to be the year of “Kidney Health for All-Advancing Equitable Access to Care and Optimal Medication Practice". Over the last three decades, CKD treatment efforts have centered on preparing for and delivering kidney replacement therapies. However, recent therapeutic breakthroughs offer unprecedented opportunities to prevent or delay disease and mitigate complications such as cardiovascular disease and kidney failure, ultimately prolonging the quality and quantity of life for people living with CKD. A multi-pronged strategy is required to save kidneys, hearts, and lives:
- Health policies – Primary and secondary prevention of CKD require targeted health policies that holistically integrate kidney care into existing health programs, secure funding for kidney care, disseminate kidney health knowledge to the public and sustainable access to quality treatment should be implemented to prevent CKD or its progression.
- Healthcare delivery – Suboptimal kidney care results from limited policy focus, inadequate patient and provider education, lack of resources for high-quality care, and limited access to affordable medication. To enact strategies successfully, it is essential to adopt a comprehensive, patient-centered, and locally oriented approach to identify and remedy barriers to high-quality kidney care.
- Healthcare professionals – Addressing the shortage of primary care professionals and kidney specialists requires enhancing training, minimizing loss of healthcare providers, and building capacity among healthcare workers, including primary care physicians, nurses, and community health workers. Education on appropriate CKD screening and adherence to clinical practice guideline recommendations are key to successful implementation of effective and safe treatment strategies.
- Empowering patients and communities – Involving patients in advocacy organizations and local communities will empower them to make informed decisions and improve their health outcomes.
On these pages you can find information about kidney health. Please keep checking back here for more information about our activities for World Kidney Day 2024.
