World Kidney Day is celebrated every year in March. This awareness campaign started in 2006 as a joint effort of the International Society of Nephrology and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations with the goal of increasing awareness of kidney disease worldwide.
Themes over the years have always highlighted the impact of risk factors of diabetes and obesity and focused on transplantation and the health of women and children. Last year, for instance, the theme was the year of “Living Well with Kidney Disease” with the goal of patient empowerment and life participation. This is a striking reset in priorities.
Life participation is not something easily measured and cannot really be determined without the input of the patient. For some, it will be the ability to work, to participate in family activities, to vacation, or to control their symptoms. It puts patients and their caregivers at the centre of their treatment plan and sets the goals of their care.
To deliver this, healthcare providers will need to provide the education and support to empower patients and caregivers to be able to have a more active role and have discussions about what is important to them. Last year’s World Kidney Day theme was a good reminder to all health providers that we are taking care of the individual and not just treating a disease process. Hearing our patient’s concerns, challenges, and what they value should be part of our routine. Kidney disease is a life-changing diagnosis.
The World Kidney Day (WKD) campaign has been launched for this year in anticipation of WKD on Thursday, March 10, 2022. The WKD Joint Steering Committee has declared 2022 the year of “Kidney Health for All,” with the campaign focusing on bridging knowledge gaps to improve kidney health through increased kidney care education and awareness in the public arena.
Increased understanding of the vital role kidneys play, and the simple ways of identifying and preventing potential health issues can help combat unnecessarily high morbidity and mortality rates.
Advancing knowledge of kidney care requires involvement from the entire international kidney community: health care providers, scientists, patients, administrators, health-policy experts, government officials, and kidney health organizations.
Reported by: Awale Basit, Obuasi KNUST