ADDIS ABABA- Though the number of kidney patients are increasing, the treatment given in the country has been insufficient, Kidney Patient Diagnose Charitable organization (KPDCO), said.
Solomon Asefa Chief Operator, at KPDCO, noted that currently the number of kidney patients is increasing due to the life style of the community.
He added that the fundamental causes of kidney disease are Diabetes and Blood Pressures. Thus people with diabetes and blood pressure need to follow up their treatment to prevent themselves from kidney disease.
Solomon added that currently one billion kidney patients are living with the infection across the globe. Over the year, in Ethiopia two million people are facing challenges related to kidney infection more than 800,000 of them need to undergo dialysis.
Dr. Mussie Gebremicheal Non-communicable Diseases Program Coordinator at Ministry of Health on his part said that the major risk factors of kidney disease are smoking, high body weight and family history. In Ethiopia Mosquito, bilharzias, bacterial infection are also other causes to kidney diseases.
Mussie said “We can prevent kidney disease by controlling body mass and making physical activity and following good nutrition system.
He added that Patients with diabetes and high blood pressure should be treated by medical professionals to control the disease, because 80 percent of kidney disease is resulted from blood pressure and diabetes. It is advisable to make medical test.
The cause of most non-communicable diseases is similar. So, the Ministry of Health is finalizing a new strategy for 2019 to 2025 to prevent such non-communicable diseases, Mussie noted.
He also said that the Ministry is striving to prevent kidney disease and other non-communicable diseases offering various training to the community, health extension workers and launching awareness raising campaigns through Media.
The Ethiopian Herald June 6/2011
BY ESSEYE MENGISTE
