NewsDetail
Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) recently concluded the World Kidney Day activities with a symposium on kidney health.
More than 300 healthcare professionals attended the two-day event which featured a series of scientific lectures and presentations that focused on kidney disease, a condition in which kidneys are damaged and can no longer perform their usual function of removing wastes and excess water from the blood.
The link between kidney disease and diabetes, metabolic and gestational disorders was also highlighted at the symposium.
Professor Ayub Akbari, a renowned Canadian nephrologist, spoke about gestational hypertension which he said can be linked to kidney disease and other maternal and fetal complications during the latter half of pregnancy.
Dr. Riadh Abdulsattar, Consultant of Nephrology and Head of Qatar Center for Organ Donation (Hiba), shared information about the Doha Donation Accord, describing it as a viable approach with strategies designed to address the shortage in the number of organ donors in Qatar.
“The Doha Donation Accord applies best practices in organ donation and is tailored to suit the demographic, economic, and social conditions in Qatar. The Accord incorporates the principles of fairness and equal opportunity to all residents of Qatar, regardless of nationality and it respects the dignity of all donors, in addition to encouraging individuals to donate their organs,” Dr. Abdulsattar said.
“Since its inception four years ago, the Doha Accord has had a positive impact on the number of organ donors. A remarkable increase has also been recorded in the number of both live and cadaveric (after death) donations,” Dr. Abdulsattar added.
Commenting on the WKD activities, Dr. Awadh Rashid, Nephrology Consultant at HMC, said: "Each year, we conclude marking the WKD with a scientific symposium targeting healthcare professionals in the Corporation where we discuss important issues pertaining to kidney disease and the ways to prevent resulting complications. The symposium also sheds light on screening for kidney disease, focusing on early detection to prevent the disease from progressing to kidney failure.
As part of the WKD activities, Fahad Bin Jassim Dialysis Center in collaboration with HMC's Social Services Department and the Qatar Red Crescent Society, entertained patients with traditional performances and also presented them with different kinds of gift items.
Ms. Tiha Al Muhannadi, Head Nurse at the Dialysis Units at Hamad General Hospital and Primary Health Centers, stated: "This effort was designed specifically for kidney patients who could not attend the activities held at Katara so they feel part of the celebration and know their importance in our community. This year's celebration was inclusive of health awareness and educational aspects geared at promoting healthy kidneys".
Other activities marking WKD were held at HGH, some local schools, Qatar University, and Landmark Shopping Mall. These included blood pressure and blood sugar checkup, in addition to health educational sessions held by HMC’s Kidney Health educators, Ms. Muna Abdulbaseer, Ms. Faten Jamal, and Dr. Jamal Aashour, also a Nephrology Specialist.
