‘I GOING DRINK WATER AND MIND MY BUSINESS”… A popular song by Patrice Roberts which is now is echoing through the sound-waves in today’s time. WATER IS LIFE! Another catchy phrase that has been passed on from generation to generation. Is there a hidden message or are these just catchy phrases? Have we been ignoring the subtle hidden messages of the importance of water?
March 10th is recognised annually as World Kidney Day, and today the Dialysis Unit at Princess Alexandra Hospital, in Collaboration with Primary Health Promotion, joins the rest of the world in celebration of World Kidney day under the theme: Kidney Health for All – Bridge the knowledge gap to better kidney care.
Kidney disease is very common. It is also very harmful, and there is no cure. 1 out of 10 persons, mainly adults worldwide, suffers with Kidney disease. Kidney disease related mortality continues to increase yearly, and research shows that it is projected to be the 5th leading cause of death by the year 2040. It is estimated that 1.7 million people die annually from Kidney disease.
Currently on Anguilla, over the last several years, we have seen a fluctuation in patients being admitted to the dialysis unit and, sadly, we have lost quiet a large number of patients. The Health Authority, and by extension the Government of Anguilla, is heavily tasked with the cost of Dialysis Treatment. More than 1.5 Million Dollars is spent on Dialysis patients annually. As a result, we see the increased burden that is being placed on our already struggling economy.
The Health Authority is currently in the process, through the UK Funding grant, of constructing a new Dialysis Unit that will cater to the ever-growing dialysis population.
Some of the leading causes of KD are our non-communicable diseases such as Diabetes and High blood pressure. So what can we do to bridge the Knowledge Gap and raise awareness about Kidney Health?
In fact, it starts with each one of us individually, to not only be aware of the disease, but to actively know what our own kidney health measures are. Collectively, it involves all of us in the community: doctors, nurses, other health-care providers, patients, administrators, health-policy experts, and government officials.
Today, in celebration of World Kidney, the emphasis is on drinking water and caring for our Kidneys.
And so I would like to unofficially declare today, March 10th, as “Drink your Water” Day.
Other activities include
? Open day at the Central Polyclinic, The Valley, from 10 am to 2pm. Come and learn more about caring for the kidney and dialysis treatment.
? An essay competition for grade 4 students within the Primary Schools. The topic is: Water Is Life Save The Kidney!
Here are some of the benefits of Drinking Water
Water help the kidneys to remove wastes from the blood in the form of urine.
Water helps keep the blood vessels open so that blood can travel freely to the kidneys, and deliver essential nutrients to them.
But how much water is enough?
There is no universally agreed quantity of water that must be consumed daily. Drinking 8 OR 9 glasses of water a day might be a daunting task, especially if you’re not someone who relishes the taste of water. However, rather than trying to take on 8 glasses in one go, try sipping gradually throughout the day. You may be surprised by just how easy it is.
Water means water
It’s easy to assume that all fluids are interchangeable as far as your body is concerned. However, when it comes to keeping your body hydrated, and your kidneys functioning optimally – when we say you should be drinking more water… we mean water. Not coffee, tea or juice. And certainly not soda.
Once again the Department of Health Promotion has partnered with various supermarkets around the Island to offer a 10% discount on water. We are urging persons to take advantage of that special offer today. We are also encouraging all business places, as a form of patronising their restaurants, bars, hardware stores, banks etc. to offer customers a free bottle of drinking water today.
Today I will USE the words of the Patrice Roberts. WHILE SHE URGES EVERYONE TO DRINK WATER, REMEMBER APART FROM MINDING YOUR BUSINESS
DRINK WATER….AND HELP FLUSH YOUR KIDNEYS
DRINK WATER…. AND KEEP HYDRATED
DRINK WATER…..AND LUBRICATE YOUR JOINTS
DRINK WATER……AND PREVENT CONSTIPATION
DRINK WATER…….AND HELP REGULATE YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE
