‘Chronic kidney disease is a very real and prevalent issue’
THE Park West-based Irish Kidney Association (IKA) marked World Kidney Day last week by raising awareness of chronic kidney disease and reintroducing their volunteer collectors.
The IKA joined forces with the HSE National Renal Office (NRO) to raise awareness of chronic kidney disease on World Kidney Day, March 14.
Statistics show that one in 10 people of the general population, and one in seven people in Ireland over the age of 50, have chronic kidney disease.
The focus of the newly-launched campaign is to urge individuals to take action and prioritise kidney health, especially given its close links to diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.
The chief executive of the IKA, Rathfarnham woman Carol Moore, said: “Chronic kidney disease is a very real and prevalent issue affecting approximately 800 million of people globally, including 500,000 people here in Ireland.
“The lack of knowledge about chronic kidney disease and its relationship with the better-known high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease conditions needs to be addressed.
“According to the TILDA [The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing] survey, 98 per cent of people who had CKD were unaware they suffered from it.
“The results of the TILDA survey reinforce the Irish Kidney Association’s call for CKD to be integrated into the HSE National Chronic Disease Management Programme as a crucial step towards ensuring better health outcomes and reduced healthcare costs.
“Through initiatives like World Kidney Day, the Irish Kidney Association wants to start a public conversation on the importance of early detection and collaborative care in managing CKD effectively.”
Another aspect of the IKA’s work to mark World Kidney Day is the resumption of their volunteer collectors’ work, after they went on hiatus due to the pandemic.
“The Irish Kidney Association is delighted that World Kidney Day 2024 will also mark the resumption of our much-needed national fundraising campaign after almost four years,” added Ms Moore.
“We are grateful for the support of our dedicated volunteers, many of whom are family members of patients or patients themselves.
“Over the past four years, the demand for our charity’s counselling services has doubled, while our charity had to forgo national fundraising.
“Despite this, the Irish Kidney Association has continued to support and advocate for kidney patients as well as managing national organ donor awareness events and promoting and distributing the organ donor card.
“Securing the support and generosity of the public is now more critical than ever to sustain the work our registered charity does.”
