In the event of emergencies, people with kidney disease are among the most vulnerable in the population due to their ongoing requirements for consistently coordinated care – care, which is often lifelong and involves complex ongoing treatment. In recent years, the impact of COVID-19 on the health system has placed an added strain on this vulnerable population.
The whole of society, including policymakers, health care services, governments, industry, as well as people living with kidney disease and their carers, must be prepared for unexpected events to avoid any disruption in access to diagnosis, treatment, and care.
The World Kidney Day Team passionately believes it is important we make the general public aware of kidney diseases that affect millions of people worldwide, including many children who may be at risk of kidney disease at an early age. It is therefore crucial that we encourage and facilitate education, early detection, and a healthy lifestyle in children, starting at birth and continuing through to old age, to combat the increase of preventable kidney damage including acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease, and to treat children with inborn and acquired disorders of the kidney.
So let’s join forces once again to inform parents, caregivers, young patients, policymakers, and the general public of the importance of identifying and treating childhood kidney diseases, instilling an awareness of the risks for their future from kidney damage that originates in childhood, therefore building healthier future generations! #KidneyHealthForAll