The Tribune

Diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure are major risk factors for chronic kidney disease. In the Bahamas, these three non-communicable diseases are widespread throughout the islands.

The Kidney Centre hosted a number of events in March (National Kidney Month), aimed at raising awareness of these potentially debilitating illnesses, and promoting healthy lifestyles for healthy kidneys.

The Kidney Centre programme began the month by taking the awareness message to schools through its sponsorship of a poster competition.

Under the theme ‘Kidney Disease & Obesity: Promoting Healthy lifestyle for Healthy Kidneys’, T A Thompson Junior High School and St John’s College Junior High School, neighbouring schools to the centre, were invited to participate.

To increase understanding of kidney disease, the centre organised a brief session in which kidney specialist Dr Ilsa Grant-Taylor gave a talk to students at the participating schools. In addition to its youth outreach, the Kidney Centre held a walk-a-thon, which included kidney centre patients and members of the community. The fun-filled jaunt was planned to promote the three-part message of kidney health – exercise, knowledge and smart eating habits.

Even the gift bags participants received spoke to healthy, kidney-saving habits. Walkers were treated to kidney-friendly fruits, juice and water, kidney-oriented brochures and a T-shirt.

The winners of the poster competition were also announced at the conclusion of the walk-a-thon. Crowned champion was Kamara Stubbs of St John’s College. In second place was Bethany Williams, also from St John’s College.

The attention the very popular kidney T-shirts received, caught the eye of the teachers of Uriah McPhee Primary School, who closed out the month showing support to a teacher’s family member by wearing shirts.

Aimed at encouraging patients and staff to worship together in mutually sustaining fellowship, the Kidney Centre included in Kidney Month a service at St Francis Cathedral.

To send their all-important health message throughout the archipelago, representatives of the Kidney Centre appeared on Bahamas@Sunrise and the Morning Blend radio show during the month of March.

Dr Monique Pratt and nutritionist Jourdan Bowe from the Kidney Centre in Freeport, as well as Dr Omala Ablack from the Kidney Centre in Nassau, made contributions on the popular morning TV show and radio show. Their input centered on the centre’s dedication to providing optimal patient care through evidence-based practices, research and the use of state of the art technology.

During Kidney Month, staff at the Road Traffic Department partnered with the Kidney Centre in support of two employees who suffer from kidney disease, one being a patient at the Kidney Centre. To show their support, they all wore Kidney awareness T-shirts.

With branches located in Nassau, Freeport and Abaco, the Kidney Centre, internationally recognised as a premier dialysis facility, has a team of doctors who work with patients in individually tailored programmes to produce the best results.

March of each year is recognised as Kidney Month internationally. The aim of this period is to inform, educate and raise awareness of the emerging epidemic of kidney disease worldwide. The principal goal is to engage local and national health authorities to assist in planning measures that can be taken to treat or prevent kidney disease or renal failure.