BY DEANNE MAE URBIZTONDO AND MARINA O. VILLEGAS/CMU Interns
FREE kidney screenings and health education will be offered to the public in Davao City this week as the Department of Health marks National Kidney Month, a move that comes as the region reports approximately 6,000 dialysis patients.
During the Kapehan sa Dabaw on Monday, June 22, Dr. Richelle May Cajoles-Pagarigan, an adult nephrologist, urged the public to join the culmination program on June 26, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at SM Annex.
The event, which is part of the National Kidney Month, will feature talks by doctors and nutritionists on healthy diets, alongside a ‘Pista sa Nayon’ with dancing and raffles for current dialysis patients and nurses. Limited screenings for diabetes and high uric acid will also be available.
The goal is to empower, educate, and advocate for greater awareness of chronic kidney disease (CKD).
In line with National Kidney Month, the Department of Health has lined up various activities and programs to raise awareness about CKD through discussions on healthy lifestyles that can help prevent and delay the disease’s progression.
“We invited speakers, including doctors and clinical nutritionists, to share information and discuss healthy diets that can help prevent and delay the progression of CKD,” Pagarigan stated.
Pagarigan noted that Region XI has an estimated 6,000 dialysis patients, most of whom suffer from modifiable risk factors like sedentary habits, sleep deprivation, and high-sodium diets.
“The earlier we start imparting knowledge on nutrition, the more the kids become empowered to choose on their own what’s good for their body when they get older,” Pagarigan said.
