‘Earlier intervention will reduce costs and deliver better health outcomes for the estimated 500,000 people with Chronic Kidney Disease in Ireland’. – Irish Kidney Association
The Irish Kidney Association (IKA), led a briefing session with leading Health Care Professionals, hosted by Fine Gael spokesperson for health Colm Burke TD, for Oireachtas members today at Leinster House, to shed light on the challenges faced by Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients in Ireland and the need for immediate action. The focus of the event was on how early intervention, as well as transplantation, is essential to improving the lives of CKD patients and can lead to direct savings in both healthcare and legal costs.
The IKA encouraged politicians to support its five recommendations for managing the progression of CKD in Ireland. During the event there was an opportunity for TDs and Senators to get their blood pressure (a key indicator for CKD) tested, to demonstrate the importance of early detection for prevention and management of the disease, in practice.
The Irish Kidney Association’s five recommendations for action by policymakers are:
- Embed screening for and treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), including conservative care in all chronic disease programmes.
- Enhance a transitional service for teenagers moving to adult services.
- Deliver protected theatre and bed space for organ donation and transplantation.
- Provide for timely completion of required health, vaccination, and dental work, ahead of transplant or living donation.
- Implement an annual potential donor audit programme.
Speakers at the event included: Dr. Maria Kehoe PhD, National Office of Clinical Audit (NOCA): Dr. Brenda Griffin, Consultant Nephrologist, St James and Tallaght University Hospitals: and Prof. George Mellotte, Clinical Lead, HSE National Renal Office; IKA Chief Executive Carol Moore and IKA National Honorary Chairman Eddie Flood. A case study was shared by former dialysis patient Lisa Fitzgerald who is now a kidney transplant recipient.
Speaking following the briefing session, CEO of the Irish Kidney Association Carol Moore said:
“Chronic Kidney Disease is a widespread health concern in Ireland, affecting approximately 500,000 people. This equates to between 1 in 10 in the general population and 1 in 7 of the over 65s population. Earlier diagnosis and intervention are critical and will reduce costs and deliver better health outcomes for the estimated 500,000 people in Ireland with Chronic Kidney Disease.
Our briefing session with TDs and senators today was a valuable opportunity to raise awareness about the silent epidemic of Chronic Kidney Disease, with its health, economic and environmental impacts, and focus on the urgent need for comprehensive action by policymakers and its inclusion as part of the HSE Chronic Disease Management Programme.”
About the Irish Kidney Association
The Irish Kidney Association is a charitable voluntary organisation founded in 1978. It is dedicated to meeting the needs of renal patients and their families and carers, living with, and affected by end stage renal disease. The mission of the Irish Kidney Association is to support patients and their families who are living with, or likely to be affected by, end stage kidney disease.
For more information, please visit: www.ika.ie
Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic Kidney Disease is a widespread health concern in Ireland, affecting approximately 500,000 people. This silent epidemic is projected to become the fifth leading cause of death globally by 2040. In 2022. the country saw 134 additional patients requiring dialysis, equivalent to the demand for the addition of two new satellite dialysis units.
The cost burden of CKD in Ireland is substantial, with dialysis alone costing over €300 million annually. Treating an end-stage kidney disease patient with dialysis over a 15-year period costs €2 million per patient.
Beyond health, CKD intersects with environmental issues as well and the treatment of kidney failure, especially via dialysis, and leaves a significant ecological footprint. A single haemodialysis treatment’s carbon emissions are comparable to those of an average vehicle’s 100-kilometer drive, and an average patient requires 156 treatments per year.
Charity Registration number 20011260
