Kidney specialists aim to curb PH’s number of dialysis patients

SPECIFIC TREATMENT Pedestrians walk in front of the National Kidney and Transplant Institute in Quezon City. The hospital caters mostly to patients with renal diseases and patients with diabetes who undergo regular dialysis. —Inquirer file photo

MANILA, Philippines — Kidney specialists are pushing for intensified early screening and prevention initiatives against chronic kidney disease (CKD), citing an increase in the number of dialysis patients in the Philippines.

READ: Chronic kidney disease: 1 Filipino develops it every 40 minutes

The Philippine Society of Nephrology, in a media roundtable held last June 21 in observance of National Kidney Month, presented the “eight golden rules” for healthier kidneys that Filipinos may adopt:

Golden Rule 1: Exercise regularly
Golden Rule 2: Eat a healthy diet
Golden Rule 3: Control blood sugar
Golden Rule 4: Control blood pressure
Golden Rule 5: Drink adequate water
Golden Rule 6: Stop smoking
Golden Rule 7: Don’t abuse pain relievers and supplements
Golden Rule 8: Have a regular checkup

READ: Preventing chronic kidney disease: regular check-ups, healthy diet

40 percent increase

The group said that the National Kidney and Transplant Institute previously sounded the alarm on the over 40 percent increase in new dialysis patients between 2022 and 2023.

A 2021 data from the institute also showed that 7 million Filipinos have worsening CKD stages, or those stage 3 and above.

STOP CKD Advocacy Head and nephrologist Dr. Vimar Luz stressed that early screening and lifestyle changes can address the kidney disease epidemic.

“When we say dialysis, that’s the end stage. Gusto natin labanan bago ka pa magkaroon ng sakit sa bato (We want to fight before you develop kidney disease.),” said Luz.

Meanwhile, Dr. Cyril Tolosa, Medical Affairs Director of AstraZeneca Philippines, said that they have been partnering with the Philippine Society of Nephrology through the STOP CKD program since 2022.

This allows them to provide capability-building engagements to “thousands of primary care physicians” all over the country.