On Thursday March 9th 2017, in observance of World Kidney Day, under the theme “Kidney Disease and Obesity”, the Health Promotion Unit, in collaboration with Dialysis Unit, initiated their awareness campaign with a parade focused on bringing awareness of the link between obesity in school-aged children and kidney disease. The parade commenced at the Primary Health Care Building in The Valley and ended at the Gazebo on the Ruthwill Auditorium Grounds. It involved teachers and students from the primary schools and the secondary school on the island, along with patients of the Dialysis Unit.
Delivering remarks after the parade, Dr. Sherlon Richardson spoke on Kidney Disease and Obesity and told the students present to: “eat right, get out and exercise and take care of your kidneys.”
Currently, in Anguilla, 22 persons are receiving dialysis treatment and the number is expected to rise due to the increasing prevalence of obesity, a contributing factor to chronic Kidney Disease. In addition, according to Anguilla School Health Services Report 2015-16, the percentage of obese students especially in kindergarten has risen dramatically in the past five years.
