HMC and Ooredoo officials announcing the World Kidney Day programmes.
By Joseph Varghese
Staff reporter
One out of ten residents in Qatar has some form of kidney disorder, a senior official of Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) said on Wednesday.
“Most of the kidney disorders are especially amongst people with chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension," Dr Hassan Ali al- Malki, head of Nephrology Department, explained in reply to a question from Gulf Times.
At present, Qatar has 253 patients who need dialysis, he pointed out while announcing that HMC is marking World Kidney Day (WKD) on Thursday to raise awareness among residents.
"Physical activity is one important element to keep the body fit and reduce hypertension and diabetes. High rates of diabetes have to be brought under control to reduce kidney diseases.
HMC will hold several awareness activities to mark this year’s WKD, being observed worldwide under the theme: “Kidney Health for All.”
The programmes will be held at Hamad General Hospital, Al Wakrah Hospital, Al Khor Hospital as well as Katara. A walkathon will be organised in conjunction with Katara on Friday afternoon.
Students from local schools, Qatar University and Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar will participate in the walkathon. Members of scouting associations and Community Policing will also take part in the event and other recreational activities are being held on the sidelines of the main campaign activities.
There will also be educational programmes, including informative sessions about kidney health and diets, distribution of informative pamphlets as well as screening for diabetes and hypertension.
A scientific seminar will be held on March 21 and 22 featuring topics ranging from kidney health to the link between kidney disease and diabetes.
Dr Riadh Abdulsattar, head of the Qatar Centre for Organ Donation will speak about the Doha Donation Accord and the role of kidney transplantation in reducing the number of patients undergoing renal dialysis. Experts in diabetes, nephrology and dietetics from HMC will also speak at the seminar.
The WKD programmes are being sponsored by Ooredoo. Fatima Sultan al-Kuwari, director, Community and Public Relations, Ooredoo commented, “Our participation has been more than just financial. We have provided sustainable support. Our employees have volunteered to visit the patients, presenting them with gifts and souvenirs from Ooredoo. Ooredoo continues to support a wide range of initiatives in this area. We are pleased and proud to support the wide range of activities of World Kidney Day."
Hassan al-Hail, assistant executive director of HMC’s Corporate Communications stated “Campaigns of this type are focused on educating the public about general healthy living habits, and for kidney health in particular, the prevention of disease and on how to manage it if and when it occurs. HMC places great importance on educating the public about health promotion and disease prevention, based on the principle that prevention is better than cure.”
