The New Nation - Internet Edition

AS reported recently in the media, the number of kidney patients is increasing at an 'alarming rate' as about two crore people are now suffering from the disease across the country. But 10 years ago, the number of kidney patients was about one crore. If this rate of spread continues, it will reach about 30 per cent of the population which might be affected in the next 10 years, experts fear. One in every six persons has been suffering from kidney diseases and 40,000 people die of kidney failure every year, it was disclosed as 95 per cent kidney patients of our country are unable to bear the cost of treatment and slowly move towards death.

About 64 per cent kidney patients undertake treatment by selling their property, 20 per cent take loan, 15 per cent get assistance while only five per cent can afford treatment costs. At least Taka two lakh is required for a kidney patient a year for dialysis twice a week. The treatment of end stage renal disease is either dialysis or transplantation which are out of reach of a majority of the victims. As a result, 70 per cent of kidney failure patients who start dialysis stop treatment in three months.

Lack of nephrologists also hinders the treatment of kidney patients. There is now one nephrologist for 25 lakh people but the ratio should be one for 2/3 lakh people. Lack of awareness among the people is also responsible for the growth of kidney patients. A Kidney Foundation survey shows, 60 per cent people are not aware of the fact that diabetes and high blood pressure are the main reasons for the kidney disease and that such patients are increasing 'alarmingly' in Bangladesh. Raising awareness about the disease is thus urgent.