SCHOOLS KIDNEY DISEASE PREVENTION PROGRAMME

This project is aimed at educating the senior learners in high schools on the role and care of the kidneys. Talks on lifestyle and diet with a focus on the role of salt and a very informative talk on the function and the role of the kidneys are presented. The effect of salt in causing high blood pressure is highlighted and some interesting facts on some of the most popular foods of today are normally a big eye-opener to the learners.

The talks are followed up by a voluntary screening programme where learners get the chance to have their blood pressure taken and a urine sample tested for traces of any disorders relating to or being the possible cause of future kidney disease. Some information relating to the risk of kidney disease are also gathered to evaluate and support any findings during the screening.

Since the pilot project took place in 2009 the NKFSA has been fortunate in receiving some funding for this project from the NATIONAL LOTTERIES DISTRIBUTION TRUST FUND.

The results of the screening at these schools will not only form part of a broader epidemiological study but will also help NKFSA in emphasising the importance of educating the youth on lifestyle and the prevention of future kidney disease.

One of the learners from Athlone Girls High undergoing the screening tests:

Learners from the Athlone Boys School being tested during the screening project on WKD 2010:

CLICKS AND NKF DATA COLLECTION PROJECT

In 2008 a project was launched in collaboration with Clicks stores to do screening for kidney disease at some of their stores. This has been a valuable source of data and statistics and is an ongoing project to raise awareness on kidney health. Clicks also published a pamphlet on Kidney Disease with the WKD focus on the role of salt and hypertension that are available at the participating Clicks stores. The results of the screening data will also be added to the ongoing epidemiological study.

Sister Ina van der Merwe from the Rosebank Clicks Clinic doing the screening tests on a patient:

GUIDELINES ON THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF CHRONIC RENAL DISEASE

The NKFSA is committed to ensure that patients with affected kidney function get the correct diagnosis and treatment in order to maximize their chances of preventing any or further damage to their kidneys.

Once the first publication of the guidelines has been completed to address all aspects of the diagnosis and treatment of kidney disease, the process will be ongoing to update the information as and when needed in order to ensure that the best practice is followed in the handling of patients with kidney disease. The guidelines are aimed at educating the general practitioner and other professional medical staff and to enable them to follow the best available processes for the benefit of the patient.

For more information on the Guidelines please contact the NKFSA office at telephone number 011 447 2531 or e-mail info@nkf.org.za

NKFSA WORKSHOP

In January 2011 a workshop was held to encourage and promote better opportunities for working together to the benefit of patients in the renal community.

The NKFSA Workshop was initiated by the NKFSA after the need for closer working relationships between the NKFSA and the existing Associations were identified. Education, awareness and prevention feature in the work that we all do but instead of reinventing the wheel the objective was the creation of a sharing platform where everybody can sit around a table and share experiences and knowledge in order to come up with the best possible strategy to achieve these aims.

It was agreed that the coordination of efforts to create a united and uniform voice for renal care would help not to confuse the public through different standards and norms being applied in different areas and that future efforts should be coordinated and challenges approached as a united front when opportunities arise to speak on behalf of those affected by kidney disease.

The workshop was attended by representatives from Gauteng, Cape and KwaZulu Natal Kidney Associations, representatives from Pretoria, Klerksdorp, CSA (Cystinosis South Africa) and SATSA (South African Transplant Sports Association).

Everybody felt that the workshop created a wonderful opportunity to share and learn and that it should become an annual event. Thanks to NATIONAL RENAL CARE for the sponsorship that confirmed their commitment towards renal patients.

Pictures of delegates during the two day workshop:

KIDNEY AWARENESS

World Kidney Day (WKD)

As an initiative of the International Federation of Kidney Foundations (IFKF) the NKFSA celebrates WORLD KIDNEY DAY each year on the second Thursday in March.

Apart from projects that is normally scheduled around this time such as the Schools Kidney disease Prevention Programme the NKFSA also send out press releases to local and national publications that would like to feature WKD.

Kidney Awareness Week

This week that focuses on the function and health of kidneys is normally scheduled for the first full week of September and information on kidney health is made available to the public to help create awareness of the role of the kidneys in everyday life.

Health / Wellness Days

The NKFSA and the Various Kidney Associations take part or provide information towards health and wellness days on an ad hoc basis and if you would like to enquire about our participation you are welcome to contact the NKFSA office at telephone number 011 447 2531 or e-mail info@nkf.org.za

Awareness Material

Pamphlets are available in 5 languages: English, Afrikaans, Sotho, Tswana and Xhosa and the NKFSA would also like to thank the NLDTF for their sponsorship for the Printing of these pamphlets.

A general poster to help create awareness on kidney health is also available and was also made possible through sponsorship received from the NLDTF:

The NKFSA welcomes enquiries about these pamphlets and the poster and you can contact the NKFSA office at telephone number 011 447 2531 or e-mail info@nkf.org.za