HSE marks World Kidney Day with focus on Covid measures

Today is World Kidney Day and to mark the day, the HSE National Renal Office is highlighting the supports it has put in place to keep renal patients safe from Covid-19.

The HSE National Renal Office (NRO) responded to the pandemic to protect patients with severe kidney disease who are considered to be very high risk through the enhanced provision of Home Dialysis therapy, and by implementing a range of new Covid protocols. These protocols include enhanced patient transport and upgraded infections control policies.

Professor George Mellotte, HSE National Clinical Lead Renal Services, explained: “During the pandemic renal services had to respond quickly. We adapted by creating new ways to help avoid hospital based dialysis where possible and also to protect patients who could only receive their dialysis in hospital settings. By engaging with internal HSE stakeholders, we ensured that dialysis patients, kidney transplant patients and patients with end stage kidney failure are now included in Group 4 on the Covid-19 priority vaccination list with vaccinations due to commence shortly.

“Significant investment in Home Dialysis therapy meant the number of new patients opting to choose home dialysis therapy increased by 10%. This means these patients avoid unnecessary travelling to and from hospital for treatment and the risk of exposure to Covid-19 in a hospital setting. This reduced the number of patient hospital visits by 3,700 nationally in 2020.

"For our patients, home dialysis has improved their quality of life while providing patients with flexibility and more control over their own care and also protected them during the pandemic,” he added.

Due to these timely measures implemented by the NRO, a very low number of home dialysis patients contracted Covid-19 since the outbreak of the pandemic with no fatalities among this cohort.

Being diagnosed with kidney disease can be a huge challenge, both for the patient and those people around them. This diagnosis and its management, particularly in advanced stages of kidney disease, impacts severely upon the patient’s life by reducing their ability to participate in everyday activities. It can also cause numerous problematic side effects – such as fatigue, pain, depression, cognitive impairment, gastrointestinal problems and sleep problems.

In Ireland, 400,000 people are at risk of kidney disease. It is projected to become the fifth leading cause of premature death globally by 2040. One in eight people aged over 50 in Ireland have chronic kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease is easily detected by a simple blood test by your GP. It is also preventable with interventions which include early check-ups, blood pressure medication and blood sugar control.

The National Renal Office has provided patient orientated medical information relevant for renal patients on Covid-19 at hse.ie.

This year World Kidney Day (WKD) is themed ‘Kidney Health for Everyone, Everywhere – Living Well with Kidney Disease'.

Last month, the WKD #MyGr8Rule challenge (8 Golden Rules) was launched as a symbolic gesture to remember that kidneys are vital organs and that they should be taken care of. This action urges everyone around the globe, from all cultures and ages, to look after their kidneys and prevent kidney disease.

Further information regarding World Kidney Day (March 11) is available at https://www.worldkidneyday.org/2021-campaign/2021-wkd-theme/