Silent Killer

By Tesfu Telahun

There is a stealthy killer on the prowl. This health hazard is more pervasive than HIV/AIDS but hardly given the attention it requires.
Hypertension, resulting kidney disease and renal problems are affecting more and more Ethiopians due to increasing urbanization, a sedentary life style and improper eating habits, among other contributing factors.
Hypertension, kidney problems and related organ disorders are preventable, treatable and relatively inexpensive but the majority of patients who go to hospitals do so after their condition has progressed considerably and is close to or past total renal failure.
Many of the patients could have been saved if they had their blood pressure regularly monitored for hypertension, says Dr Tedros Agonafer, a founding member of the Ethiopian Kidney Association, EKA and Dialysis Unit Head of Saint Gabriel Hospital, at an interactive half day screening conducted at and for the staff of Capital on May 9, 2007. The seminar was organized by the Ethiopian Kidney Association with the screening sponsored by ARSHO Laboratories in order to raise the awareness level of media workers in their journalistic duty to promote EKA’s focus on preventative treatment.
The EKA was established in 2006 by a group of specialist doctors, academics, general practitioners, lay members, philanthropists and other concerned individuals.
Another founding member is Dr Lesane Seifu. He is Assistant Professor, Instructor Methrologist and Internist at AAU Medical School. Dr Lesane opened the highly informative seminar by inviting the participants to freely engage in the discussion period which followed his revealing introduction to the causes, symptoms and treatment options available.
“There are many widely held misconceptions in regard to hypertension and kidney disease. These can be very dangerous and sometimes fatal. One is that stress or too much work of themselves do not necessarily lead to high blood pressure. Another very common misconception is that copious fluid consumption will somehow clear the kidney’s by washing away toxins from a protein rich diet. This sort of advice can exhaust already damaged kidneys of what function remains.”
The EKA’s Manager and Board Secretary, Ato Yoseph Adera, also gave an address during which he stressed the important role media workers can play in raising awareness in regard to educating the community about prevention strategies. He applauded the initiative of the management and staff of Capital newspaper in this regard.
“You (journalists) are well positioned for helping to realize the goals of the EKA. Find it in yourselves to give hypertension and kidney problems the attention they demand as two of the more deadliest conditions known. I urge you on behalf of the association to rise to this noble task.”
Hypertension and kidney functions can be routinely monitored from between just 10-30 birr but sadly, preventative medicine is not practiced by a surprising portion of the urban population.
There are three medical conditions popularly labeled in Amharic as “Yehabtam Besheta’ or “disease of the wealthy”. Hypertension, kidney problems and diabetes are relatively rare in rural Ethiopia and also among low income families in cities.
Commenting on this health issue characterizing itself as a mainly urban phenomena related to affluence, Dr Lesane stated,
“A diet rich in proteins, fats and salts is not a healthy choice of life style. Studies have consistently shown that following a proper dietary regime that is low or avoids these improves kidney function. We should mind what we consume because once digested, everything must pass through the kidneys which filter and discard toxins. The kidneys are gradually clogged by a fat and protein rich diet and over the years, develop kidney stones, a development which can worsen to partial or total renal failure. The body’s other vital organs are an integrated whole of which the kidneys are an important component. Kidney damage therefore, will cause sympathetic disorders of the liver, heart and other organs.”
Responding to questions raised by Capital staff on what preventive measures could be taken before hand, the renowned doctors explained that regular medical checkups and early detection are the best weapons along with a healthier lifestyle in order to catch the condition while it is still effectively treatable.
Seminar attendants were informed that hypertension can be hereditary, a situation
that seems to be beyond one’s immediate control. However, that does not mean it can’t be kept in check with the patient able to lead a perfectly normal social and professional life. Of course, sound medical advice is all important, according to Dr Lesane, who pointed out that medical science is always progressing with new insights and diagnostic tools and making previously held tenets obsolete.
“It used to be accepted medical protocol to take the dystolic rate of blood pressure as the measure of blood pressure status. This has changed now and we take the systolic rate as the true barometer of the state of blood pressure,” explained Dr Lesane.
The second part of the seminar consisted of blood pressure and kidney function screening of more than three dozen Capital staff by a highly professional team of laboratory technicians from ARSHO Laboratories, a pioneering medical organization of repute which has seven branches throughout Addis Ababa.
The seminar and blood pressure and kidney function screening conducted for Capital by EKA in collaboration with Arsho Laboratories was not a one-off event but complements on-going activity that has been visiting government offices, centers of learning and other institutions.
Arsho Laboratories provides a most comprehensive menu of tests. There are nearly 700 separate medical tests available of which more than 30 have been newly introduced. These include the pathology tests which are new to Arsho and conducted with ultra-modern equipment.
The symbiotic cooperation between EKA and ARSHO Laboratories is to be commended as an example of related fields working hand in hand to promote kidney and hypertension care in Ethiopia.
Membership in the EKA is open to individuals and organizations for very nominal fees. The association has tasked itself with spearheading and scientifically co-coordinating its noble aims. It however requires and seeks the support of the wider public in order to realize its goals.
The community is urged to contact the EKA and register for membership. The perils of hypertension and kidney disease can affect us and any of our loved ones. Silently. Each new member will be another strong voice that will shatter the silence with the awareness that prevention is the best weapon we have.