About the National Kidney Foundation: Fueled by passion and urgency, National Kidney Foundation is a lifeline for all people affected by kidney disease. As pioneers of scientific research and innovation, NKF focuses on the whole patient through the lens of kidney health. Relentless in our work, we enhance lives through action, education and accelerating change.

Director and Chief Nephrologist
The Dialysis Centre Bahamas #Tuesday July 17th, 2012 marked the first Anniversary of The Dialysis Centre Bahamas on Collins Ave, Nassau, Bahamas. The ever increasing Bahamas and world burden of people with kidney failure requiring kidney replacement treatments such as Dialysis (Haemodialysis/Peritoneal/CAPD/APD dialysis) or kidney transplantation has brought the gravity and significance of this increasing scourge to the attention of the medical community, health authorities, governments in developed and less developed nations, in The Bahamas and all over the world. #The primary reasons for this are related to cost of treatments, high morbidity and mortality of such patients, the increasing contribution of diabetes, related to the current and continuing epidemic of obesity worldwide, and the economic burden of increasing numbers of persons rendered incapable of maintaining gainful employment when the diagnosis of kidney failure (End-Stage Kidney Disease/ESRD) is made and then have to undergo treatment. Unfortunately, in the less- developed nations, with limited resources and other competing health-related priorities, this diagnosis is more often a death sentence. #It is estimated that the number of persons with ESRD/Kidney failure will increase by some 60 % to 80 % above current levels in all countries by the year 2020, again driven primarily by the pandemic of obesity and diabetes.
Diabetes is by far the single largest contributor to causes of kidney failure, accounting for some 47% of diagnoses in the United States as reflected in the USRDS statistics for 2011, which reflects figures for 2009. Hypertension (high blood pressure) is second, accounting for some 25-30%. #Unfortunately, in the United States, people of the African Diaspora account for a disproportionately afflicted group, by making up, some 24-30% of the ESRD population, but contributing to only 12% of the U.S. population. African Americans have almost four times the level of kidney failure as that of Caucasians There are other potential contributing genetic factors that have been advanced for accounting for the increased risk of kidney failure in this susceptible population related to a form of kidney inflammation called focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, and HIV (AIDS-related) Kidney disease. #The latter occurs almost exclusively in African-Americans in the United States. It is clear that there are implications for the burden of kidney disease locally in the Bahamas and there is a clear need for enhancing awareness of this devastating problem in the minds of citizens, health policy makers, the Government, and health-care providers.
Measures that can be undertaken to address recognition and awareness: #Professional and non-professional organizations such as the Medical Association of the Bahamas, The Association of Medical Technologists, The Kidney Foundation, and other such groupings should find ways to embark on a programme to make the public aware of the major health-related diseases that predispose to high risks for kidney disease/ and failure, such as hypertension (High blood pressure), and Diabetes; the former has a prevalence that reflects an estimation of one in three adults being affected. #There has been some evidence indicating that the prevalence of Diabetes in the local population is approximately around some 12-15%; current estimates for the prevalence of Diabetes in the United States is of the order of some 11-12%. Most authorities indicate that these are conservative estimates, and the increasing public health burden of Obesity-related diabetes and hypertension pose a potential for higher numbers of people being affected within the next 5-10 years. #The spread of the relevant information can be facilitated by forming alliances with civic organizations and clubs such as the Kiwanis, Rotary and other such groupings to provide for a for spreading the relevant message. The engagement of the informational arms of the Ministry of Health, and the institutional private health entities such as Doctors Hospital and The Medical Pavilion Bahamas will contribute significantly to this effort.
The public information campaign needs to be planned on a continuing basis and not a one-time project.

2. Medical Provider Education #and focus on screening and #early detection: #Physicians, Nursing and other allied Health professionals have an important role in participating in programmes related to screening and detection of persons with kidney disease or those deemed to be at significantly increased risks of developing kidney disease and failure. The routine of regular testing of urine for the presence of protein and/or blood, along with sugar, should be a part of every regular medical clinical evaluation of patients seeing their respective medical providers. Annual blood tests for kidney function along with those for cholesterol/lipid profiles should be routinely required and mandated along with the implementation of professional recommendations for early, appropriate and timely referral to specialists (Kidney Specialists/Nephrologists), for implementation of strategies to treat and slow-down the progression of disease to the stage of end-stage kidney failure (ESRD).
There are limited options for treatment-related- reversal of kidney failure, save for a handful of specific causes; most forms of treatment are directed at slowing down the progression to the stage of kidney replacement treatment. #The early and appropriate
referral by physicians to the Nephrologists will allow the utilization of maximally effective treatments to slow disease progression such as the use of specific types of medications that can reduce urine protein levels, control blood pressure at optimally-recommended levels of 130-135/ 75-80 mm. hg; utilization of medications to control levels of cholesterol and its components, and optimal regulation of the levels of blood glucose in those with diabetes.
The final advantage of such a programme will be the provision of opportunity for informed patient education of the options for kidney replacement treatments such as the forms of dialysis (Haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis), and/or kidney transplantation. #The earlier that patients and their relatives are involved in this process related to renal replacement options, including the time for thoughtful and informed consideration by relatives or other persons who may wish to become living organ (Kidney) donors, the better the long term outcomes. It is well established that late referral to a Nephrologist, late initiation of kidney-replacement (dialysis) treatment when disease is at an advanced stage is associated with significantly higher rates of mortality (death), and morbidity (complications). #The

(l to r) Cheryl Martins, Manager, Group Sales & Administration; Shanique Taylor, Executive Team Member, Bahamas Kidney Association; Wendy Butler, Vice President, Group & Health Benefits, Colina Insurance Limited; Tamika Roberts, President, Bahamas Kidney Association; Sandra Thomas, Manager, Claims and Administration Colina Insurance Limited. Nassau, The Bahamas, March 2, 2022 – Colina Insurance Limited (Colina) is commemorating National Kidney Month by donating five thousand dollars to The Bahamas Kidney Association (BKA). “Colina is committed to health and wellness in our communities and pleased to partner with BKA as they are likewise aligned,” said Maxine V. Seymour, Director, Corporate Communications, Colina. “We must do all we can to prevent kidney disease and support those in the struggle as it is a debilitating illness with daily reminders for persons who are impacted by it and their loved ones.” Colina employees will support The Bahamas Kidney Association by making donations and wearing green every Friday during the month of March to bring awareness to the cause. “Kidney disease is growing more and more prevalent in The Bahamas, impacting hundreds of Bahamian families who struggle with the illness,” said Tamika Roberts, President, Bahamas Kidney Association. “This makes the work of The Bahamas Kidney Association (BKA), a non-profit organization, not only essential but critical in the prevention and management of kidney disease in our country”.  It is estimated that 10% to 13% of the adult population battle chronic kidney disease. “We jumped at the opportunity to partner with The Bahamas Kidney Association to raise awareness in the prevention and management of kidney disease,” said Wendy Butler, Vice President, Group & Health Benefits, Colina Insurance Limited. “We believe that education and awareness are key steps to lower the number of Bahamians impacted by this disease.” The Bahamas Kidney Association has a variety of events during the month of March including webinars, free glucose and blood pressure checks, dietary supplement assistance for dialysis patients and an essay & video competition for high school students.  For details on all of this month’s activities, visit www.bahamaskidneyassociation.org, email info@bahamaskidneyassoication.org or call (242)457-0990. About The Bahamas Kidney Association The Bahamas Kidney Association (BKA), a non-profit organization committed to the prevention and management of kidney disease in our country.  Building on the incredible legacy of Dr. Ada Thompson, who championed kidney disease awareness for many years, the BKA was established to carry on her work with her continued support. The BKA has two main purposes; to reduce the instances of kidney failure in The Bahamas and to improve the lives of persons affected by kidney disease. Together with dozens of excited and committed volunteers, the Association is led by a core group of individuals who are passionate and committed to our cause. About Colina Insurance Limited (Colina) Colina is a diversified financial services company, offering comprehensive life and health insurance solutions. Colina is wholly-owned by Colina Holdings Bahamas Limited (CHBL). CHBL is a Bahamian Company, built on a firm foundation of trust, integrity and responsibility. Colina has evolved over the past 155 years to become The Bahamas’ largest life and health insurer, with a solid reputation for providing insurance and related financial services products that help clients prepare for life’s unexpected events.

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