OUR HISTORY

The prime role of the Irish Kidney Association is to support patients and their families effected by end stage kidney disease and are either being treated by dialysis or have a working kidney transplant. By providing information on kidney diseases, associated medical scenarios and social benefits and entitlements, the IKA helps patients and families live as normal a life as possible, given the presence of the kidney related illness. As the only organisation representing the views of Irish kidney patients, the IKA continually lobbies on their behalf. This ongoing activity covers a wide variety of areas, including government departments, the HSE, hospitals, renal units and many other agencies. By joining with other organisations, the IKA helps in furthering the aims of all patients with chronic illness and improving their quality of life. The patient remains at the centre of the IKA — the patient’s needs are paramount. Kidney disease affects all age groups, both men and women.The reality of kidney disease is that it may impinge on many strands of a person’s life including: health, employment, education, social life and relationships, physical fitness and general well-being. The progression of this disease means that the patient requires a lifetime of treatment: regular out-patient monitoring, on-going medication, surgery for dialysis access, dialysis, transplantation, failed transplant, re-dialysis, re-transplantation, and so on often developing additional health problems such as hypertension, bone disease, restricted mobility, cardiac complications, etc