To commemorate National Kidney Month, the Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) in the Bicol region has stepped up its campaign against chronic kidney disease (CKD) by rolling out a new urine albumin-creatinine ratio (uACR) screening machine.
The program aims to detect early indicators of kidney damage well before patients require drastic, life-altering medical procedures like dialysis or organ transplants.
”That is why we are observing National Kidney Month through advocacy campaigns, lectures, and screening activities to help our constituents,” explained Raymond Martin Corpus, the DOH-Bicol Regional Program Manager for the CKD Prevention and Control Program, during the launch ceremony.
As a crucial diagnostic tool, the uACR system identifies renal impairment early enough for medical treatments to successfully halt the progression of the disease toward its terminal phase.
”We should not allow patients to reach Stage 5 chronic kidney disease, where dialysis or kidney transplantation becomes the only remaining intervention. Through uACR screening, the disease can be detected at an early stage,” Corpus added.
The DOH noted that free testing will be directed toward high-risk individuals, including those managing hypertension, diabetes, obesity, a history of smoking, or prior kidney ailments.
For its initial rollout, the regional office aims to provide the complimentary screening to 50 individuals.