Chronic Kidney Disease Awareness Website Launched
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a major health crisis in the Philippines, ranking as one of the leading causes of death. The National Kidney Transplant Institute (NKTI) reports that a Filipino develops chronic renal failure every hour, translating to approximately 2.3 million Filipinos currently diagnosed with CKD. Projections indicate that one in ten Filipinos will develop this deadly disease. Alarmingly, CKD shows very few symptoms in its early stages, often going unnoticed until the condition has significantly progressed.
In a bid to raise awareness about CKD, various patient organizations and medical societies united to observe National Kidney Month last June. The initiative aimed to help Filipinos recognize early symptoms of CKD and educate them on prevention methods through an event titled "It Starts with U: Get CheCKD."
The event, held at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati City on June 29, was supported by Boehringer Ingelheim (Philippines) Inc. It saw the attendance of several experts and partner organizations, including:
- Rey Abacan Jr., President and Founder of Dialysis PH
- Marimel Lamsin, Internal Vice President of the Kidney Transplant Association of the Philippines Inc. (KITAP)
- Karen Alparce-Villanueva, President of the Philippine Alliance of Patient Organizations (PAPO)
- Dr. Rose Marie Rosete-Liquete, Executive Director of NKTI
Experts at the event highlighted the prevalence and risks associated with CKD, emphasizing the importance of early detection and preventive measures.
Key Messages from the Experts
Dr. Maaliddin B. Biruar, a renowned nephrologist, stressed the critical need for early detection:
"CKD is one of the most common chronic illnesses in the Philippines and part of its danger is the difficulty in early detection since its symptoms don’t manifest until it's too late. However, this condition can be easily mitigated by regular testing and adapting a few lifestyle changes."
Dr. Rose Marie Rosete-Liquete added:
"Early detection and regular medical consultations will help prevent the progression of CKD in our patients, ensuring better quality of life and productivity. By addressing the risk factors of CKD, such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus, we can also reduce the socio-economic burden of treating end-stage CKD."
Launch of the Awareness Website
The event also marked the launch of a new disease awareness website by Boehringer Ingelheim, named "It Starts with You." This website provides comprehensive data and information on CKD, accessible to both patients and the general public.
Dr. Greta Cortez, Head of Medicine for Human Pharma at Boehringer Ingelheim Philippines, commented on the initiative:
"Accessible tools and education are essential in combating CKD. With tools like this website, we can empower Filipinos with the knowledge and understanding for detecting CKD early and managing it effectively. Early detection through accessible testing can significantly improve outcomes and enhance the quality of life for those affected by this silent but serious condition."
Throughout the day, families engaged in a variety of educational and entertaining activities across different zones at the event. These activities focused on checking for CKD and promoting healthy habits to prevent the disease.
By launching this awareness campaign and the accompanying website, the organizers aim to arm Filipinos with the necessary knowledge to combat CKD, promoting early detection and management to improve overall health outcomes.
