The Health and Child Care ministry has expressed concern at the spike in chronic kidney diseases (CKDs).
BY ALEXIS SIBANDA
Speaking during the World Kidney Day 2018 commemorations, Health ministry principal director, Gibson Mhlanga, who spoke on behalf of minister David Parirenyatwa, said the risk of developing CKD is at least as high in women it is in men, and may even be higher.
“CKD affects approximately 195 million women worldwide and is currently the eighth leading cause of death in women. CKD is more likely to develop in women compared to men, with an average 14% in women and 12% in men,” he said.
Mhlanga said there is need to address issues of equitable health care access for women and increase awareness campaigns to facilitate access to treatment and better health outcomes.
“Kidney transplantation is also equally spread, mostly due to social, cultural and psychological aspects even in some countries that provide kidney transplantation and equitable treatment for men and women, women tend more often to donate kidneys and are less likely to receive them,” he said.
Mhlanga said the government needs to train kidney specialists and transplant surgeons to reduce CKD in the country.
“Transplant surgeons working together with kidney specialist can facilitate kidney transplant in the country and drastically cut the costs being suffered by patients when they go to countries like India,” he said.
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Mhlanga said the Health ministry through the NDC department will formulate plans to develop programmes related to screening, diagnosis and treatment of kidney diseases.
