The Nairobi West Hospital Urges for Early Screening as World Marks Kidney Day
The Nairobi West Hospital has called on individuals to participate in early screening for chronic kidney disease as it commemorates World Kidney Day on March 14th, 2024. To honor this significant day, the hospital is providing a complimentary consultation for kidney transplants from March 14th to March 19th, 2024, as part of this year’s World Kidney Disease Awareness Day celebrations.
This free medical camp is pivotal in raising awareness about kidney health and the importance of early intervention for those at risk of or facing end-stage kidney diseases. The Nairobi West Hospital’s recent analysis highlights a troubling rise in kidney disease cases both locally and globally, noting that it is a silent ailment affecting 10 percent of the adult population worldwide, with potentially fatal outcomes if not addressed promptly.
Dr. John Ngigi, a consultant physician and nephrologist at The Nairobi West Hospital, emphasizes the dangers of kidney infections, which can result in disability or death if not treated early. Chronic kidney disease, characterized by its long duration and progressive nature, is dubbed a silent killer due to its ability to lead to kidney failure and death because of its non-communicable nature. These insights were shared during an event organized by Kenya’s Ministry of Health at the Kenyatta National Hospital to observe World Kidney Day.
The observance of World Kidney Day, held on the second Thursday of March annually, aims to enhance global awareness of kidney health, emphasizing the critical role kidneys play in overall health and striving to mitigate the prevalence and impact of kidney disease and its related health issues worldwide.
The theme for this year, “Kidney Health for All – Advancing Equitable Access to Care and Optimal Medication Practice,” underscores the commitment to ensuring comprehensive kidney care is accessible to all. The day began with a walk, initiated by Dr. Gladwell Gathecha, the head of the Directorate of Non-communicable Diseases at the Ministry of Health, commencing at the Kenyatta National Hospital.
In conjunction with the day’s events, The Nairobi West Hospital offered free kidney check-ups and consultations with their specialists, highlighting their capabilities in providing top-tier care, including kidney transplants—a critical treatment for end-stage kidney disease. With the hospital successfully performing transplants, it aims to offer a local, cost-effective option for patients who previously sought these services abroad, boasting outcomes comparable to international standards.
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