Experts at a discussion meeting on Friday revealed that more than two crore of people in Bangladesh are affected by any of Kidney diseases, of whom 40,000 patients die of total kidney failure. At least five people die every hour being affected by such diseases.Referring to the dreadfulness of Kidney diseases and its highly expensive treatment, they mentioned that even five percent of affected people cannot afford the treatment cost and said prevention is the best way in a country like Bangladesh.
Kidney awareness, monitoring and prevention society (KAMPS), a voluntary organisation organised the discussion meeting and iftar mahfil on the occasion of holy Ramzan at a city hotel.
Chief consultant and division head, department of kidney diseases of Lab Aid Specialised Hospital and chairman of KAMPS Professor Dr. MA Samad made a key-note presentation in the meeting.
Referring to a study he said that the chronic kidney disease is hidden among 16-18 percent of people while the ultimate consequence of a long term kidney patient is death from kidney failure.
“People, who have chronic kidney disease, are facing risk of death being affected by heart disease, more than 10 times higher than that of other people. On the other hand, the way of living for those whose
kidneys have gone totally dysfunctional due to long term kidney disease, is kidney transplantation or dialysis”, Dr. Samad added.
More than 40,000 of people are dying in this country from kidney failure and more than 90 percent of patients die due to lack of treatment, he said adding that treatment of this disease is such highly expensive that even five percent of people have no ability to afford it.
He mentioned that Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Glumarelo Nephritis, disease from obstruction in urine flow, enlarged prostate of elderly men, narrowing urinary track, using medicine without Doctors
prescription, bulkiness, smoking; besides, those who perform less physical laboursome work usually pose high risk of having chronic kidney disease.
Toxic elements like formalin, artificial color, carbide and ethrel, harmful insecticide DDT among others also pose threat of kidney disease, he added.
Use of toxic chemical elements in food and beverages has today turned into an all-devouring national crisis whereas resolving this crisis is not impossible as it has been possible to control stringently in many
of our neighbouring countries. The government has to take stern action to control it.
He suggested ensuring proper implementation of the existing laws by updating them with the addition of more stringent penalties, making the guidelines for quality control of food products stricter, eliminating lack of coordination among different line ministries and relevant agencies and forming a centrally autonomous and controlling organisation to prevent adulteration.
The meeting was informed that there are only 100 nephrologists, 100 urologists, 20 kidney transplant surgeons, 200 dialysis nurses and only 20 dialysis engineers in against of the 2 crore kidney patients
in the country.
Participating in open discussion the participants opined that the government has to take special initiative to enhance the number of Kidney specialists, Surgeons and skilled technicians in ensuring dialysis and Kidney transplantation in the country.
They felt the need to strengthen the awareness movement as it’s known that more than 50 percent of kidney failure can be prevented if it is detected at primary stage.
Speakers also praised the role of KAMPS for its long time contribution in carrying out awareness raising campaign, holding regular kidney screening camps, free medical camps on occasions of national days and regular observance of the world kidney day.
Executive Director of KAMPS Nasrin Begum, General Sercretary, Shaheen Reza Noor, Chainman Bay Group, Md. Shamsur Rahman, Director, Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu and Chairman World Wide Human Rights Commission, Chairman Pubali Bank Ltd, Hafji Ahamed Mojumder also spoke on the occasion.
– Staff Reporter
