Chronic kidney disease (CKD), a gradual and irremediable loss of kidney function (kidney failure), affects up to one in eight South Africans, more than 850 million people worldwide, and resulted in over 3.1 million deaths (2019). Fundamentally, untreated kidney failure can be life-threatening.
Presently, kidney disease ranks as the 8th leading cause of death, and if not addressed, is projected to be the 5th leading cause of years of life lost by 2040.
In a fervent initiative, the Urology Hospital in Pretoria is offering free kidney health screenings to the public on 14 and 15 March 2024, from 10h00 to 14h00.
“This year’s World Kidney Day theme, Kidney Health for All, inspired us. We believe the local and national community can greatly benefit from free screening,” says Dr Fikile Tsela, nephrologist at The Urology Hospital Pretoria.
He shares, “Chronic kidney disease is also known as a ‘silent disease’, as most patients are asymptomatic at the onset and early stages of the disease. Targeted screening of people at risk of developing CKD is therefore critical for early detection, prevention or slowing down of progression and timely management of CKD.”
The newly opened Uro Kidney Care Dialysis Unit aims to provide comprehensive kidney care service to patients with acute and chronic kidney disease. With a focus on haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, continuous renal replacement therapy and pre-dialysis management, the unit is committed to offering high-quality, patient-centred care for patients in South Africa and the rest of Africa.
“With early detection and treatment, the right care and management, kidney disease can be slowed down and sometimes prevented,” concludes Dr Tsela.
Address: Urology Hospital, Cnr Grosvenor & Pretorius Street, Hatfield, Pretoria
Screening criteria:
- Hypertensive
- Diabetic
- Family history of kidney disease
- Overweight
- Smoking
For more information, contact The Urology Hospital on 012 423 4000 or email lebom@urology.co.za.
Image credit: ibrandify/Freepik