| Hakim Hayat |
DIABETES and high blood pressure are the two main causes of chronic renal failure in the country, with figures showing that 57 per cent of them are caused by diabetes while over 21 per cent are caused by high blood pressure.
These figures were shared during an exhibition set up in an event held to commemorate World Kidney Day 2016 yesterday at the Dialysis Centre in Kampong Rimba, Gadong.
Some 100 staff from the Renal Services Department, Ministry of Health (MoH) with their families and patients took part in the family oriented event, as part of the department’s efforts to increase awareness and spread information on kidney disease and ways of preventing it.
The event saw a number of recreational activities including a mass ‘Zumba’ aerobic session, on top of an exhibition set up to allow guests to learn more about kidney disease.
Photo shows a mannequin being hooked-up to a dialysis machine as part of the display during the World Kidney Day 2016 event
The attendees in a group photo. – PHOTOS: SIM YH
The number of patients diagnosed with diabetes is increasing every year, and this is attributed to an unhealthy lifestyle and a diet pattern with high levels of sugar, salt, fats and cholesterol.
Obesity is also one of the main contributing factors of diabetes in the country. High blood sugar and blood pressure levels, if not constantly monitored, may contribute to the kidney’s premature deterioration and failure.
There are currently six dialysis centres in the country with three in the Brunei-Muara District – Rimba, Kiarong and Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital while there is one centre for each of the remaining three districts.
World Kidney Day 2016 carries the theme ‘Kidney Disease and Children’ this year and is an annual campaign celebrated every March to increase awareness of the importance of kidneys for overall health and in reducing risks or effects of the disease.
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