BY BANELE MAGONGO
MBABANE – The media has been urged by the Ministry of Health to teach the nation about the importance of kidneys in human lives.
This was said by Dr Malinga yesterday at Mountain View, Mbabane when the Ministry of Health and the Eswatini Kidney Foundation commemorated World Kidney Day 2024, under the theme: “Kidney Health for All, Advancing Equitable Access to Care and Optimal Medication Practice”.
Dr. Malinga stated that World Kidney Day has been observed on the second Thursday of March since 2006, and it served as a valuable opportunity to promote kidney health and raise awareness about the disease.
She noted that the day was especially meaningful for those affected by kidney disease, as it brought them together to learn about the importance of promoting good health and spreading information about the disease. She also mentioned that the event highlighted the crucial role of kidney health in maintaining overall well-being.
She stated that the role of the media in raising awareness about kidney health is the focus of this year’s commemoration.
She said that the Ministry is aware of the delay in the detection of kidney disease, and that the media has an important role to play in educating the public about the warning signs and risk factors for the disease.
She added that early detection of kidney disease is essential for effective treatment and improved outcomes.
According to Dr. Malinga, globally-recognized strategies for reducing the risk of kidney disease focus on controlling blood pressure, which can be achieved with access to care for diagnosis and treatment.
She mentioned that without access to care, individuals may not be able to detect kidney disease in its early stages, which can lead to more serious complications down the road.
Therefore, ensuring that people have access to the necessary care is essential for preventing and treating kidney disease.
According to the Ministry’s records, the leading causes of renal failure in Eswatini are hypertension, diabetes, and HIV.
