Some 235 and 192 deaths of end-stage kidney disease patients were recorded in 2021 and 2022 respectively, according to the Kidney Dialysis and Transplant Registry for Brunei Darussalam.
In 2022, the number of end stage kidney disease patients stood at 913 with 211 new patients while the average increase of patients is 28 per year.
The concerning growth was highlighted by Acting Chief Executive Officer Abdul Mu’iz bin Haji Ibrahim of the Department of Renal Services during the third ‘Kidney Health for All’ forum held in conjunction with World Kidney Day yesterday.
Abdul Mu’iz said, “Kidney disease is a non-infectious disease that a large number of people around the world were diagnosed with. Kidney is one of the most important organs in the body with key functions in removing toxins from the blood, controlling blood pressure, maintaining electrolyte balance and producihng hormones responsible for good health.
“When a kidney fails to function properly, waste that is usually removed from the body through urine remain in the blood. It causes appetite loss, nausea, vomitting, fatigue and weakness. End-stage kidney disease patients are required to carry out kidney replacement therapy such as haemodialysis treatment, peritoneal dialysis treatment or kidney transplant surgery.”
The acting chief executive officer said data shows there has been a significant increase in chronic kidney disease cases over the years adding that renal disease is expected to be the fifth leading cause of death globally by 2040.
Abdul Mu’iz said Brunei has a relatively high number of patients diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease with the major causes being diabetes and high blood pressure.
The forum organised by the Department of Renal Services took place at the Ministry of Finance and Economy (MoFE), featuring Department of Renal Services Allied Specialist Dr Lim Yee Yin, renal patient Mohd Jafni bin Haji Mohd Hussain and renal nurse Maswinda Sari binti Haji Zainal. – James Kon
