Doctors on Tuesday urged the national government and local government units to integrate kidney health program in their health-care services and yearly advocacy.
“We encourage training of primary care physicians in recognizing and managing the early signs and risks factors for kidney disease. In 2020, we push for rigorous monitoring of the prevalence and incidence of these diseases in order to aid local and world leaders identify the need for easily accessible but competent renal health services as well as provide data for research for innovative kidney health management strategies,” the Philippine College of Physicians and Philippine Society of Nephrology's joint statement read.
Citing the latest data from the World Health Organization, the groups said five million to 10 million people die annually from kidney disease with 2.62 million people received dialysis in 2010.
They raised alarm that the number could double in 2030.
Dr. Maaliddin Biruar, a Philippine Society of Nephrology specialist, said kidney patients are getting younger and younger between 50 and 60 to between 20 and 30.
Dr. Agnes Torrijos-Cruz of the Philippine College of Physicians said 60 percent of kidney patients going through dialysis are diabetic.
According to Dr. Mina Laguesma, drinking six to eight glasses of water a day could help cleanse the kidney and reduce susceptibility to renal disease.
In the Philippines, the Department of Health reports that one Filipino dies every hour from kidney disease with renal failure is the ninth leading cause of death among Filipinos.
The estimated treatment rate for kidney failure is only 86 Filipinos per million population in comparison to 100-300 persons per million population in South Korea and the United States of America.