PSN conference tackles growing kidney disease challenges in developing nation

KARACHI: The 14th Biennial Conference of the Pakistan Society of Nephrology (PSN) continued on the 2nd day at the Agha Hasan Abedi and Suleman Dawood Transplant Tower Auditoriums of Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT).

The world-renowned nephrologists addressed crucial issues concerning kidney health in developing nations, they acknowledged the alarming impact of environmental deterioration on kidney health. Despite contributing minimally to global warming, Pakistan ranks among the nations most affected by its consequences.

This deterioration is suspected to play a significant role in the increasing prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD), and recent data revealed that approx. 60% of patients suffering from end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) have underlying kidney stones or of unknown etiology.

They emphasized the need for community-based studies, a holistic kidney registry, and randomized controlled trials to gain a deeper understanding of the disease and tailor treatment strategies to the specific context.

They acknowledged the limitations of current treatment options available for ESKD patients in Pakistan. Hemodialysis, the primary available modality, poses environmental concerns through high energy consumption and water depletion.

Furthermore, kidney transplantation programs haven’t expanded sufficiently to meet the demand, lack of society’s participation in deceased organ donation program, and peritoneal dialysis adoption remains limited due to insufficient industry support and interest in government healthcare initiatives.

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