HMC marks World Kidney Day with community awareness activities

Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Nephrology Division, in collaboration with the Corporate Communications Department, is organizing a series of events to mark World Kidney Day.

Held on 9 March, the global theme for World Kidney Day 2017 is ‘Kidney Disease – A Healthy Lifestyle for Healthy Kidneys’.  This year, HMC events will focus on the impact obesity, a sedentary lifestyle and poor dietary choices can have on the kidneys.

Chronic kidney disease is a long-term condition caused by the inability of the kidneys to function effectively. Commenting on this, Dr. Hassan Al Malki, Head of Nephrology at HMC, said: “Around 10 percent of the world’s population is affected by chronic kidney disease and it is estimated that the disease affects 13 percent of Qatar’s population.”

Dr. Al Malki said that obesity is one of the risk factors in the development of kidney disease. “Obesity increases the risk of developing major risk factors for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), like diabetes and hypertension, and it has a direct impact on the development of CKD and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). In individuals affected by obesity, the kidneys have to work harder, filtering more blood than normal to meet the metabolic demands of the increased body weight. The increase in function can damage the kidneys and raise the risk of developing CKD in the long term.”

This year’s World Kidney Day activities demonstrate HMC’s commitment to promoting health in the community. A series of events aimed at getting families involved in fun, educational activities that highlight the importance of an active lifestyle in maintaining kidney health have been planned. 

Between 5 and 12 March, HMC’s clinical and support staff will hold events at schools, Qatar University, HMC hospitals, Primary Health Care Centers and in popular public locations.

In addition, on 10 March, HMC will hold its annual walkathon and World Kidney Day celebrations at Katara to spread the message about the importance of kidney health and encourage people to live an active and healthy lifestyle.

For more information about kidney health, please visit www.wkd2017.hamad.qa