BDMH Expansion project support Officer Kristy Cuthbert with HCA Consultant Surbhi Singhal, who took the prize for guessing the closest number of jelly beans ‚ which was 734.

On World Kidney Day, Healthcare Australia (HCA) consultant Surbhi Singhal visited Blacktown Hospital to promote the importance of Kidney Health. HCA set up an information stall to promote the importance of keeping our kidney’s healthy, as well as a fun jelly bean competition.

The objective was to promote and create awareness of Kidney Disease, untreated kidney failure can be life-threatening with about 1 in 10 people having some degree of chronic kidney disease.

Chronic Kidney disease is a condition characterised by a gradual loss of kidney function over time. If Kidney Disease gets worse, wastes can build up to high levels making you sick. Complications may include high blood pressure, anaemia (low blood count), weak bones, poor nutritional health and nerve damage.

World Kidney Day comes back every year. Across the globe, many hundred events take place from public screenings in Argentina to Zumba marathons in Malaysia. It’s done to create awareness about preventive behaviours, awareness about risk factors, and awareness about how to live with a Kidney Disease.

Some things we can do to help are:

– Raise awareness about our amazing kidneys Highlight that diabetes and high blood pressure are key risk factors for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

– Encourage systematic screening of all patients with diabetes and hypertension for CKD

– Encourage preventive behaviours

– Educate all medical professionals about their key role in detecting and reducing the risk of CKD, particularly in high-risk populations

– Stress the important role of local and national health authorities in controlling the CKD epidemic. On World Kidney Day, all governments are encouraged to act and invest in further kidney screening

– Encourage Transplantation as a best-outcome option for kidney failure, and the act of organ donation as a life-saving initiative.

Check out the entire article on page 7 in the Pulse Magazine here.

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