Diabetes, Hypertension Top Causes of Renal Failure

Health officials here warned that diabetes and hypertension are the leading causes of renal failure.

In yesterday’s Kapihan sa PIA Cebu, Dr. Alexander Tan, president of the Philippine Society of Nephrology (PSN), said both diseases are the top causes of renal failure in the world, including Filipinos.

Focusing on diabetes, Tan said authorities predicted that by 2025 there will be 400 million people who are inflicted with diabetes.

In South East Asia, the Philippines ranks eighth or ninth in diabetes cases.

Tan said this is attributed to unhealthy lifestyle which include low mobility and poor food intake.

Other than that, the tap water available in Cebu is classified as hard water which has sediments that can create kidney stones.

He cited that fast foods and consumption of carbonated drinks also affect the renal system .

“People no longer like to walk and they drink a lot of softdrinks,” Tan said.

He said that endocrinologists in other countries presented an advocacy calling for the ban of carbonated drinks among schools in their countries.

Dr. Shelbay Blanco. Regional Epidemiology Services Unit (RESU) of Department of Health (DOH-7) said a similar bill was also filed here in the Philippines but it did not prosper.

The fact that there is an increasing number of dialysis centers is also an indication that the disease is also increasing.

“There is a need for people to revert back to simple lifestyle.  People are becoming lazy,” Blanco said.

Dr.  Cynthia Genosolango, Cebu Provincial Health Office head, said there are already dialysis services in the provincial hospitals.

Philhealth shoulders 90 dialysis sessions of patient-members and beneficiaries.

On the other hand, a qualified patient can also apply to avail of the free organ transplant.

Kidney transplant in Cebu is available at Don Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Service (DVSMMC).

National Kidney Month is observed every month of June.

PSN held a motorcade to launch the celebration last June 5.

On June 17, PSN will be at Zapatera Elementary School for free urinalysis and screening for students.

A quiz bowl will be held in the afternoon at Harolds Hotel for all resident doctors while an advance training for nurses is scheduled on the 19th at Perpetual Succor Hospital (PSH).

On the 24th, there will be a lecture on updates on renal diseases among municipal health officers in the province. (rmn/fcc/PIA7-Cebu)