Kidney disease one of top ‘killers’ in Kalinga

TABUK, Kalinga — Kidney disease, especially the End-Stage Renal Disease (ERSD), is ranked the No. 5 leading cause of mortality in the province for the past several years and the first 11 months of this year.

Renal Disease Control Program coordinator Karen Molina of the Provincial Health Office revealed this saying 38 deaths had been reported last year or at a rate of 16.3 per 100,000 populations.

Out of the 38 cases, 26 were females and 12 males. “Women are more susceptible than men to the disease basically because of anatomical differences,” she said.

Molina said an average rate increase of 1.4 annually had been recorded from 2001 to 2008. The reason for the increasing cases she said is that people are not that aware of the risk and danger of renal diseases. Patients she said tend to come only for consultation when illness is already at a later stage.

To increase the level of awareness in the province, the PHO conducted ReDCoP orientation province wide last week to 55 barangay health workers.

During the event, the BHWs were provided situation reports on kidney diseases, advocacy strategies, and lecture on kidney functions and renal diseases. DS