THE Minister of Health has expressed concern over Brunei having the highest number of patients who need dialysis treatment per million population.

Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Suyoi Hj Osman said that the figure is about 1,300 per million population.

Speaking during the launching of Brunei's World Kidney Day yesterday, Pehin Dato Hj Suyoi pointed out that the current growth rate of dialysis population is 10 per cent a year.

The minister said that presently there are 61 patients on Chronic Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (dialysis where the fluid is entered into the patient through the abdominal cavity).

"In order to provide more effective treatment to this group of patients, and to improve their quality of life, the Ministry of Health is looking into the feasibility of making Machine-Assisted or Automated Peritoneal Dialysis available to a large number of patients in whom this mode of treatment is indicated.

Pehin Dato Hj Suyoi also said that it was estimated that the number of patients requiring Renal Replacement Therapy will have risen to almost 800 by the year of 2025.

"As of March 10, there are 495 patients on Renal Replacement Therapy," he remarked adding that the number of patients on this therapy is increasing every year.

He said that "greater emphasis will need to be placed on controlling this runaway pandemic."Pehin Dato Hj Suyoi, adding that stronger efforts should be put into public education on ways to prevent and control hypertension and diabetes, both of which are prevalent diseases and significant contributors to chronic renal diseases in the country.

He also stated the importance of identifying kidney disease at an early stage through regular screenings.

"The key is the identification of individual who at risk of kidney disease such as individuals with diabetes, hypertension, smokers, obesity, individuals aged above 50 and those with family history of kidney disease."

"It is also equally important to change lifestyle for better health and better kidneys," he added.

"Healthier lifestyle will not only prevent kidney disease but also other diseases like cardiovascular disease and diabetes."

Pehin Dato Hj Suyoi disclosed that the ministry will be introducing two new Haemodialysis Centres, one in Kuala Belait and the other in Tutong Districts, in addition to other developments and operations in order to assist the ministry's drive in preventing kidney disease.

"One will be a 20 haemodialysis point centre at Kuala Belait to cater to the population of the Belait District and the other will be a 20 haemodialysis point centre at Tutong to cater to the population of the Tutong District," he said.

He said that there are currently only five haemodialyis centres with 84 haemodialysis points to cater to over 400 patients in the Sultanate.

Themed "Healthy Lifestyle, Healthy Kidneys", this year's World Kidney Day celebration was held with the primary aim of educating and providing information regarding issues related to kidney diseases.

In Courtesy of The Brunei Times