Early detection and healthy habits crucial for kidney care, says expert

Key Points:

• Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) in Qatar provides comprehensive kidney care, including early diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management for around 30,000 patients annually, emphasizing the importance of early detection to save lives.
• Chronic kidney disease (CKD) often shows few symptoms early on and affects about one in seven people, particularly those with diabetes, hypertension, obesity, or a family history of kidney issues; lifestyle changes and regular check-ups are crucial for prevention.
• Less than 5% of kidney disease patients require dialysis or transplantation, with HMC currently supporting 1,250 hemodialysis and 251 peritoneal dialysis patients, including home-assisted hemodialysis for around 140 individuals.
• HMC operates 204 dialysis stations across multiple facilities and runs pre-dialysis clinics to prepare patients medically and psychologically, helping them choose appropriate treatment options such as transplantation.
• Early diagnosis and management of CKD can slow disease progression and prevent complications, with routine monitoring recommended annually for high-risk groups like those with diabetes or hypertension.