7 October 2013

WORRYING STATISTICS: Malaysia has the highest incidence of end-stage renal failure attributed to diabetes

MUAR: THE Health Ministry has urged the public to take care of their kidneys as the number of patients suffering from kidney disease is on the rise.

Datuk Dr Azmi Shapie, the former director of the Health Ministry’s medical development division, said: “Kidney problems can lead to diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity.

“In 2011, 56 per cent of new dialysis patients nationwide suffered from diabetes, while six per cent suffered from high blood pressure,” Dr Azmi said at the launch of the state-level World Kidney Day celebration at the Sultanah Fatimah Specialist Hospital (SFSH), here, recently.

Also present were state Health Department assistant medical director Dr Izam Sulaiman and SFSH director Dr Selahuddeen Abdul Aziz.

Malaysia has been identified as probably having the highest percentage of patients in the world with diabetes as the cause of end-stage kidney failure.

“It is worrying. It is due to the lifestyle of the people,” he said.

He said nearly 6,000 patients from Ledang, Batu Pahat and Segamat had sought treatment for kidney-related problems at SFSH last year.

“The number of patients here has made SFSH a centre for patients with kidney problems from district hospitals in Segamat, Batu Pahat and Tangkak,” he said.

“SFSH also caters to 400 dialysis patients from private clinics and non-governmental organisations in Muar and Ledang.

“Patients are encouraged to undergo kidney transplant to optimise perioperative therapy.”

By FAIRUL ASMAINI MOHD PILUS

This article was first published in www.nst.com.my on 17 May 2013.