Malaysia Facing Alarming Rates of Kidney Failure Due to Diabetes
Diabetes has become a major health issue worldwide, and Malaysia is not immune to this trend. With the highest prevalence of kidney failure due to diabetes in the world, Malaysia is now facing a healthcare crisis. According to the 2018 Malaysia Dialysis and Transplant Registry report, 69.2% of end-stage kidney disease patients in the country are caused by Diabetic Kidney Disease (DKD).
DKD, also known as Diabetic Nephropathy, occurs when the kidneys have trouble filtering waste from the blood, which is then transformed into urine. If left untreated, the kidneys may eventually fail and no longer function, requiring a kidney transplant or dialysis. In Malaysia, this disease is a silent killer, with no symptoms in the early stages, making early detection difficult.
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Ms Poh Kai Ling, Clinical Dietitian from University of Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Kuala Lumpur, advises that the best way to prevent diabetes-related kidney complications or to slow its progression is to maintain a healthy blood glucose level. A healthy lifestyle is also essential, and individuals should choose their food intake wisely, practicing portion control according to the Malaysian Healthy Plate.
Dr Kenneth Lai Koah Kien, Consultant General Physician and Nephrologist at Bukit Tinggi Medical Centre, warns that mortality and cardiovascular disease rates increase exponentially in patients with DKD. Patients with DKD are more likely to die before reaching end-stage kidney disease, and if they do, they would require a form of renal replacement therapy which includes kidney transplantation or dialysis.
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As a nation, Malaysia is racing against time, as one in five adults in the country are living with diabetes. Therefore, early detection, prevention, and treatment are crucial. For Your Sweetheart Campaign invites all Malaysians to keep themselves and their loved ones healthy with a FREE Diabetes HbA1c Screening at participating clinics nationwide, supported by Boehringer Ingelheim in partnership with Malaysian Diabetes Educators Society (MDES), Diabetes Malaysia (DM), and Malaysian Endocrine and Metabolic Society (MEMS).
As the world continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, it is vital to remember that non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and DKD still pose significant health threats, and early detection and prevention are essential to tackling these health challenges.
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