Take advantage of free medication to prevent kidney failure – health expert

A physician with the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) on Thursday advised the public to take advantage of the free medication provided by the government in health centers to prevent kidney failure.

The free medication is part of the Department of Health's Hypertension and Diabetes Club, which was rolled out in January 2016. Individuals who sign up for the club will receive free maintenance medicine after consulting with a physician.

Dr. Romina Danguilan presented statistics at the launch of the REGALO Organ Donation campaign that points to lifestyle diseases as the primary causes of kidney failure. In particular, statistics show that diabetes and hypertension often lead to renal problems in patients, especially those over 50.

"We also focus on prevention," she said. Nearly 40,000 people are currently undergoing dialysis and Danguilan stressed that not enough kidney donations are being made.

Kidney Foundation of the Philippines executive directive Dr. Remedios Uriarte said that fear and stigma springing from misconceptions have been preventing the public from becoming organ donors, whether living or otherwise. — BM, GMA News