BHEC Launches Kidney Disease Campaign
The Bermuda Health Council, local health professionals, and medical doctors have partnered “to increase awareness of chronic kidney disease [CKD] for National Kidney Month and World Kidney Day on March 10.”
A spokesperson said, “The Bermuda Health Council, local health professionals, and medical doctors have partnered to increase awareness of chronic kidney disease [CKD] for National Kidney Month and World Kidney Day on March 10
“According to the Bermuda Health Strategy report, 50% of residents have at least one chronic condition such as diabetes, heart disease or kidney disease.”
Dr. Ricky Brathwaite, PhD MS MSHS, CEO, Bermuda Health Council, said, “As an already defined “super aged” nation by the numbers, there are so many challenges we in Bermuda are facing and will face in the future. Chronic Kidney Disease is one of those challenges. Experts tell us that the global burden of chronic kidney disease is rapidly increasing with a projection of becoming the fifth most common cause of years of life lost globally by 2040.
“This has been a concern here in Bermuda for many years with hundreds on dialysis and thousands at real risk. We don’t have to look to the future to forecast what we could possibly lose, we’ve lost too many already. It’s past time that we buckle down and support each other in making a drastic commitment to being healthier as individuals and as a community.”
The spokesperson said, “The campaign aims to engage the kidney community with the goal of promoting early diagnosis and treatment of chronic kidney disease, and to empower communities to know their kidney risk and talk to their doctors about kidney disease. To celebrate the month and support the kidney community, the Health Council’s website features a green National Kidney Month banner.
“During the week of World Kidney Day from 7th March – 11th March, the Health Council will publish a series of videos featuring local health professionals and medical doctors sharing preventative tips for kidney disease and ways to get tested for the disease for better health outcomes.
“The Council will also provide information on how to become a donor for kidney transplantation, additional tips to improve your kidney health and an informative article from Dr. Wendy Outerbridge, Director of the Dr. Beresford Swan dialysis unit at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital in their Quarterly newsletter this month.”
Keasha Lightbourne, MD, Kidney Transplant Coordinator, Bermuda Health Council, said, “We hope that this campaign will encourage our people to ask their doctors about their kidney health, know their options and understand that early detection of kidney disease is critical. The main cause of end stage chronic kidney disease in Bermuda’s population is diabetes and hypertension, easily diagnosed by a visit to your general practitioner.
“As a result, the Health Council was motivated to create a Chronic Kidney Disease Programme to educate the public and raise awareness about these risk factors contributing to the disease. It also was developed to increase access to the gold standard of treatment for end stage kidney disease through kidney transplantation.”
The spokesperson said, “The Health Council encourages all to get involved in extending the messages across the island and sharing their support using the hashtags:
- #BDAHealth
- #NationalKidneyMonth
“Discover more about the campaign at www.bhec.bm/kidneydisease.
“For additional information about the Bermuda Health Council’s functions and priorities, please access our website or contact us at 292-6420.”
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