Consultant Internist Dr Gloria Girard revealed that globally, over 850 million people suffer from some form of kidney disease. In Saint Lucia, as of February 2024, 187 individuals were living with end-stage renal failure and undergoing dialysis treatment.

“The high burden of kidney disease, high disparity in kidney care and poor outcomes of kidney failure, bring a growing burden of care for affected individuals [and] caregivers. To date, over 850 million people worldwide suffer from some form of kidney disease, which increases every year. This means that approximately 1 in 10 people are living with chronic kidney disease,” Dr Girard explained.

The kidney, responsible for expelling toxins from the body, can be damaged due to poor lifestyle choices. Dr Girard reminds Saint Lucians to put their health first.

“This condition is the gradual loss of the kidney’s ability to perform essential functions and can be caused by high blood pressure, obesity, smoking and other risk factors.”

She says the Ministry of Health is already working to address kidney failure treatments on the island.

“It is important that our health systems make every effort to meet the health needs of every person living with and affected by kidney failure. One key strategy was the establishment of the nephrology clinic at the primary health care services at the Micoud Wellness Centre,” she explained.

Dr Girard adds that dialysis is crucial for removing excess water, solutes, and toxins from the blood in individuals whose kidneys can no longer perform these functions naturally.