In a concerning revelation, health experts have sounded the alarm as the number of kidney patients in Bangladesh has surged, affecting a staggering 38 million individuals, according to statements made on Saturday.
Attributing the rise to unhealthy lifestyles and a lack of awareness, experts conveyed their concerns during a roundtable discussion titled “Equal Rights for Kidney Treatment of All and Actions for Achieving the Goal,” organized by the Kidney Awareness Monitoring and Prevention Society (KAMPS), a non-profit voluntary organization.
Eminent Medicine Specialist ABM Abdullah, President of Kidney Foundation Prof Harun-or-Rashid, and National Prof and Diabetics Association of Bangladesh AK Azad Khan were among the prominent speakers at the event, led by KAMPS Founder and President Prof Dr. MA Samad.
Abdullah emphasized that the country is grappling with a staggering 38 million kidney patients, a figure on the rise due to a lack of awareness and insufficient health knowledge. He urged proactive measures such as controlling high blood pressure and diabetes, along with abstaining from smoking, to prevent kidney ailments.
Highlighting kidney disease as a silent killer, Abdullah urged individuals to manage their weight and ensure access to safe drinking water for maintaining kidney health.
Dr. Harun revealed a grim reality, stating that nearly 50,000 kidney patients lose their lives annually in Bangladesh, largely due to the unavailability of treatment facilities owing to high costs. He emphasized the potential to save lives through accessible dialysis treatment or kidney transplantation, though both are currently financially burdensome.
Calling for government intervention, health experts advocated for the expansion of affordable kidney treatment facilities, ensuring that both rich and poor individuals have access to life-saving interventions. They underscored the need for a nationwide awareness campaign on kidney disease, emphasizing regular check-ups for diabetes and blood pressure to avert kidney-related complications.
