Call to eliminate Australia’s reliance on kidney dialysis
Kidney Health Australia emphasizes the need for Australia to develop earlier intervention strategies to address chronic kidney disease.
By 2050, chronic kidney disease is projected to be the fifth leading cause of death globally, prompting calls to reduce Australia’s reliance on dialysis procedures.
Despite the life-prolonging benefits of dialysis, it remains invasive, time-consuming, and has seen minimal advancements in the past 50 years, according to Kidney Health Australia.
“While other medical technologies have progressed significantly, dialysis has lagged behind, and this is unacceptable,” stated the group’s CEO Chris Forbes.
Kidney disease is usually diagnosed in its late stages, rendering early interventions ineffective and leading to patients needing kidney transplants or dialysis.
Kidney Health Australia advocates for earlier diagnosis, access to medications to slow disease progression, and supports ongoing research for new treatments.
Forbes envisions a transformation in kidney disease management, aiming to alleviate the burdens of dialysis and utilize innovative solutions to improve patients’ quality of life.
While acknowledging the need for more dialysis units and kidney transplants to meet current demands, Forbes also recognizes the continued necessity of dialysis in emergencies and as a temporary measure.
Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic kidney disease refers to conditions affecting kidney function, specifically the filtration and removal of waste from the blood.
Certain demographics, such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and those living in remote areas with limited access to medical care, face a higher risk of developing kidney disease and experiencing poorer health outcomes.
Globally, kidney disease impacts over 10% of the population (850 million people), with the condition expected to increase due to aging populations and rising rates of hypertension and diabetes.
