With an estimated one in 10 people in Qatar affected by kidney disease, nephrology specialists at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) are calling on the community to take steps to educate themselves to safeguard their own kidney health.
In recognition of World Kidney Day (WKD), marked every year on March 13, HMC is organising a series of events and activities to educate patients and the wider community about the importance of good kidney health.
“Kidney disease can affect people of all ages and races. Individuals in the early stages of kidney disease often display very few, if any, symptoms,” said Dr Hassan al-Malki, head of HMC’s Nephrology Department.
“The signs and symptoms of kidney disease are often non-specific, meaning they can also be caused by other illnesses or can be mistaken for other health conditions. Signs and symptoms of kidney disease can include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fatigue, weakness, sleep problems, changes in how much you urinate, muscle twitches and cramps, swelling of the feet and ankles, and high blood pressure,” added Dr al-Malki.
“Globally, chronic kidney disease causes at least 2.4mn deaths each year and is the sixth fastest-growing cause of death.
“Qatar has been at the forefront in kidney disease prevention, with the implementation of kidney disease awareness campaigns to encourage the public to adopt a healthy lifestyle, widespread screenings, and treatment of the major causes of kidney disease, including diabetes and high blood pressure, having been implemented across the health sector,” noted Dr Essa Abuhelaiqa, a nephrology consultant at HMC.
HMC’s World Kidney Day activities include a number of activities starting from tomorrow.
HMC will host a two-day symposium for healthcare workers on kidney health from tomorrow.
HMC staff will visit schools and universities to raise awareness about the importance of good kidney health from March 10-12. HMC will also host a health awareness booth at the main entrance of Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital from March 11 to 13.
The booth will be staffed by clinical teams who will provide members of the public with information leaflets and health education materials.
Clinical teams will also provide basic health checks.
Meanwhile, on March 13 and 14, HMC will host health awareness booths at the main entrances of Hamad General, Al Wakra and Al Khor Hospitals, as well as in Sidra Medicine.
The booths will be staffed by clinical teams who will provide members of the public with information leaflets and health education materials.
Clinical teams will also provide basic health checks. On March 15, a walkathon will be held at the Corniche from 1pm. All members of the community are invited to attend.
HMC will host health awareness booths at select Qatar Red Crescent health centres on March 17.
On March 18 and 19, HMC will host health awareness booths at Qatar University and Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar.
“Kidney disease can affect people of all ages and races. Individuals in the early stages of kidney disease often display very few, if any, symptoms,” said Dr Hassan al-Malki, head of HMC’s Nephrology Department.
“The signs and symptoms of kidney disease are often non-specific, meaning they can also be caused by other illnesses or can be mistaken for other health conditions. Signs and symptoms of kidney disease can include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fatigue, weakness, sleep problems, changes in how much you urinate, muscle twitches and cramps, swelling of the feet and ankles, and high blood pressure,” added Dr al-Malki.
“Globally, chronic kidney disease causes at least 2.4mn deaths each year and is the sixth fastest-growing cause of death.
“Qatar has been at the forefront in kidney disease prevention, with the implementation of kidney disease awareness campaigns to encourage the public to adopt a healthy lifestyle, widespread screenings, and treatment of the major causes of kidney disease, including diabetes and high blood pressure, having been implemented across the health sector,” noted Dr Essa Abuhelaiqa, a nephrology consultant at HMC.
HMC’s World Kidney Day activities include a number of activities starting from tomorrow.
HMC will host a two-day symposium for healthcare workers on kidney health from tomorrow.
HMC staff will visit schools and universities to raise awareness about the importance of good kidney health from March 10-12. HMC will also host a health awareness booth at the main entrance of Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital from March 11 to 13.
The booth will be staffed by clinical teams who will provide members of the public with information leaflets and health education materials.
Clinical teams will also provide basic health checks.
Meanwhile, on March 13 and 14, HMC will host health awareness booths at the main entrances of Hamad General, Al Wakra and Al Khor Hospitals, as well as in Sidra Medicine.
The booths will be staffed by clinical teams who will provide members of the public with information leaflets and health education materials.
Clinical teams will also provide basic health checks. On March 15, a walkathon will be held at the Corniche from 1pm. All members of the community are invited to attend.
HMC will host health awareness booths at select Qatar Red Crescent health centres on March 17.
On March 18 and 19, HMC will host health awareness booths at Qatar University and Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar.
