World Kidney Day Tomorrow: President, PM Issue Messages

The 'World Kidney Day-2024’ will be observed in the country and elsewhere across the globe tomorrow, aiming to raise awareness about the importance of sound kidneys.

This year's theme of the day is ‘Kidney health for all -Advancing equitable access to care and optimal medication practice’, an official release said here today.

The day is going to be marked in Bangladesh through holding different programmes including rally, discussion and seminar on kidney diseases and its prevention methods.

On the eve of the day, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today issued separate messages, urging the government as well as private and charitable institutions to come forward to provide expensive kidney disease treatment to the people of the country.

The President in his message said, the prevalence of kidney disease is increasing rapidly due to uncontrolled and unhealthy lifestyle, diabetes, high blood pressure, excessive use of painkillers and antibiotics, adulterated food and obesity as per the opinions of the experts.

"Although there is advanced treatment for kidney disease in the country, it is very expensive and time consuming. Therefore, along with the cure, it is very important to create public awareness to prevent kidney disease," the head of the state added.

He said the government is making relentless efforts to provide essential health care to the common people of the country.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin hoped that all doctors, experts and institutions concerned will continue their activities in spreading the latest treatment of kidney diseases in the country.

The President wished overall success of all the programmes taken on the occasion of 'World Kidney Day'.

In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the Awami League (AL) government is working with the ideals of the greatest Bangalee of all time and Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by giving priority to the expansion and improvement of the country's health sector.

“We established the first Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University in the history of the country in 1998. Medical universities have been established in Rajshahi, Chattogram, Sylhet and Khulna to expand healthcare and essential research activities,” the premier added.

The AL government has formulated a pro-people health policy, she said, adding that this policy is being implemented.

The number of beds in the hospital, general and specialized hospitals and specialized medical-services has increased manifold, she said.

Around 18,000 community clinics and union health centers are engaged in providing health care to the rural population, she said, adding that 30 items of medicine are being given free of cost from the community clinics.

United Nations has recognized 'Community Clinic' as 'The Sheikh Hasina Initiative', she said.

“We have established new medical colleges, dental colleges, nursing colleges, nursing institutes, medical assistant training schools and health technology institutes all over the country,” she said.

“We spend a large portion of the budget in the health sector on kidney disease treatment, dialysis and kidney transplantation,” she said.

Initiatives including starting of kidney dialysis services in each district on a priority basis, providing low-cost dialysis services and arrangements for kidney transplantation have been taken, Sheikh Hasina said.

The premier wished all the programmes taken for the 'World Kidney Day-2024' a success._AFP