SKMC marks the World Kidney Day on the 12th of March 2009 at Marina Mall in Abu Dhabi

SKMC is owned and operated by Seha, the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company, which is responsible for the curative activities of all the public hospitals and clinics in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Globally, more than 500 million individuals, or about one adult in ten, have some form of chronic kidney disease. Since chronic kidney diseases increase the risk of renal failure, cardiovascular disease, and stroke, up to 36 million people will prematurely die by the year 2015.

The 2009 campaign highlights the importance of high blood pressure as one of the key symptoms and causes of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).

The World Kidney Day was launched for the first time in 2006 and it is usually held on the second Thursday of March.

On the occasion of the World Kidney Day, Dr. Atul Mehta, Chief Medical Officer, said:

"SKMC calls on everyone to check if they are at risk for kidney disease and to encourage more people to take simple blood and urine tests. We are devoted at SKMC raising awareness on health and disease prevention. We are also keen on this event to educate the public about the importance of kidneys and how to keep them healthy."

To mark the 3rd annual "World Kidney Day" celebrated at SKMC, our Renal Program team has organized several activities and check-up stations at the hospital main reception area in the morning and at Marina Mall in Abu Dhabi in the afternoon.

Free blood pressure, height, and weight checks will be offered, and educational brochures and pamphlets on Kidney Diseases will be available at both locations. Doctors and nurses will be available at the booth to help the visitors and educate them about their kidneys.

Dr. Abdul Karim Saleh, chairman of the renal program, recommends "Screening must be a high priority for people considered to be at risk of kidney disease. The early detection of kidney impairment is essential and allows suitable treatment before kidney damage or deterioration manifests itself through other complications".

He further stated: "our Renal Program comprises of the Dialysis Units, the Nephrology Clinics and the Transplantation Program. Ten kidney transplantations have already been successfully performed by Dr. Abrar Khan, head of the multi-organ transplantation program since February 2008. The Renal Unit at SKMC currently treats 273 patients with kidney failure by hemodialysis and 20 patients by peritoneal dialysis. We are currently providing hemodialysis to our patients in three locations; inpatient dialysis on the wards and in the critical areas (ICU and CCU), and in our Renal Units for outpatients. We have a total of 45 dialysis stations and we provide more than 2900 dialysis sessions per month; approximately 15% of the delivered dialysis sessions are for the inpatients. The dialysis session duration varies from 3.5 - 4 hours, three times per week.

Moreover, we are able to provide a wide array of services in the Nephrology Clinic for hypertension and general kidney problems receiving around 500 clinic visits per month".

Dr. Abdul Kareem Saleh, added that "our Renal Program at SKMC demonstrates the commitment of SKMC and Seha to provide medical care which is advanced and reaches the level of standards practiced at the leading hospitals around the world. The Renal Program administers a dynamic and fully integrated program of renal care encompassing entire spectrum of renal diseases from early detection of renal diseases and hypertension to the provision of renal replacement therapy.

The Renal Program adopts a Disease Management strategy that relies on evidence-based guidelines and best clinical practices to provide the highest quality medical care. The Program enhances the success of its operations, the quality of its medical care, and the containment of its costs by establishing regional and international partnerships with academic institutions and professional societies. In addition to that, it supports and promotes public education".