KIDNEY disease affects approximately 10% of the global population, and 15.48% of the general population in Malaysia.
Kidney disease is a silent killer since it will not display any early warning signs or symptoms until at a later stage, when it’s too late.
One of the main reasons for kidney failure in Malaysia is diabetes. About 65% to 70% of chronic kidney disease patients in Malaysia are those suffering from diabetes followed by those suffering from kidney stones, hypertension, SLE (systemic lupus erythematous) and chronic glomerulonephritis (inflammation of the tiny filters in the kidneys).
Moreover, 55 % of kidney patients are male and majority of patients are above 55.
Sadly, the number of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is steadily increasing. Malaysia has the second-highest (after Thailand) incidence rate of kidney failure affecting young adults and the number of cases rose an average of 13.2% per year from 2003 to 2016.
Meanwhile, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought into sharp focus the need to help dialysis patients gain access to home dialysis where they can socially distance themselves during this unprecedented global health crisis.
A recent study found that in addition to being at higher risk for contracting viruses, dialysis patients who contracted COVID-19 indicated they experienced a nearly 25% mortality rate, much higher than those who do not get the virus.
With its vision to transform renal care and give patients flexibility when it comes to treatment and care of their chronic condition, global leader in dialysis care Baxter is supporting this year’s World Kidney Day, under the theme “Living Well with Kidney Disease”.
Besides providing care for patients receiving treatment in dialysis clinics across the country, Baxter also support Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) which is conducted in the home.
Baxter believes this treatment modality empowers patients to manage their own care, with minimal disruption to Individual’s lifestyle and commitments.
“World Kidney Day, which falls on March 11, is a global time of awareness about the importance of effective kidney disease symptom management and empowerment for the thousands of patients on dialysis across the country,” Baxter Malaysia general manager George Kazzi pointed out.
“We believe kidney care is a journey that should begin with symptom management (chronic kidney disease management), before dialysis is required.”
Kazzi added if dialysis is required along the journey, eligible patients should have access to home therapy to support their quality of life, and to help them maintain social distance during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We join World Kidney Day in calling upon everyone to advocate for patients’ access to education, technology and procedures that help them live well with kidney disease,” Kazzi remarked.
Baxter has a long legacy of supporting the kidney disease community through the partnership with nephrologist community especially Malaysian Society of Nephrology, MYBuahPinggang, National Kidney Foundation (NKF). – March 11, 2021
