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Time to tackle kidney disease strategically
In many low and middle-income countries, especially in the Asia-Pacific, chronic kidney disease is a major health problem.
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Kidney failure is irreversible — once affected, there’s no way of recovery, but it’s not the end. (Shutterstock/File)
I
ndonesia has made great strides toward improving the health of its people, particularly in reducing cases of infectious diseases such as malaria. As we move into the era of the global Sustainable Development Goals, Indonesia faces the challenge posed by lifestyle changes in urban and rural communities, which have led to a dramatic increase in chronic diseases.
According to the Health Ministry, a quarter of Indonesians are physically inactive, and a third of adults are active smokers, while less than 10 percent consume sufficient fruits and vegetables.
Unsurprisingly, hypertension and diabetes continue to increase. Indeed, data from the 2013 Basic Health Research (Riskesdas) and the Indonesian Family Life Survey indicates that the prevalence of diabetes in rural and urban areas stands at 7 percent and 6.9 percent, respectively, and hypertension at 46 percent and 49 percent, respectively. Despite being highly preventable, these diseases are of huge concern, not just because of this increasing prevalence, but because of their connection to other non-communicable diseases (NCDs), especially chronic kidney disease (CKD). World Kidney Day, observed annually on March 8, reminds us of the challenges.
In many low and middle-income countries, especially in the Asia-Pacific, CKD is a major health problem.
