HMC celebrates World Kidney Day

Held in collaboration with Ooredoo, there will be information booths offering kidney health information in the lobbies of Hamad General Hospital (HGH) and the Outpatient Clinics on 13 and 14 of March. HMC clinicians will also visit schools across Doha to educate students on how to avoid kidney injuries by maintaining a healthy diet and undertaking regular exercise.

On 15 March World Kidney Day events will move to Katara Cultural Village. From 4pm there will be a performance by the Qatar Armed Forces Musical Band, followed by performances from Qatari, Indian and Filipino schools. The day will also include other performances and contest. Visitors will be able to take free diabetes, blood pressure and weight check-ups performed by HMC staff.

"Since 2006 World Kidney Day has been celebrated on the second Thursday in March," said Dr. Hassan Al-Malki, Head of the Nephrology Department at HMC. "Its aim is to raise awareness of the importance of kidneys to the overall health and to reduce the frequency and impact of kidney disease and its associated health problems worldwide. Our kidneys are a vital organ. They remove toxins and excess water from our blood and help to control our blood pressure, to produce red blood cells and to keep our bones healthy."

Dr. Al-Malki said the theme of this year's events was: "Kidneys for Life: Stop Acute Kidney Injury".
"Anybody may have a kidney attack or an acute kidney injury," he said. "Elderly people and those with chronic diseases such diabetes, hypertension or heart disease are particularly at risk of developing this severe renal complication. Nearly 10% of the Nephrology Department's inpatients have acute kidney injury."

Other World Kidney Day events include a symposium for HMC physicians and nursing staff on kidney injuries.