Md. Abdur Razzaq

Kidney disease is identified to be a silent killer world-wide. Around 10% of global populations are suffering from this disease. Diabetes, Hypertension and Nephritis are major causes of the disease. People in aging process are more prone to kidney disease. World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that percentage of old age people will be double by 2030 and triple by 2050 which predicts a significant increase of kidney diseases during decades to come. (Source-Kidney Foundation Bangladesh-2014).

Millions of people with renal failure problem around the world are taking support of dialysis to lead day to day normal working life. Dialysis, as a matter of blessing, facilitates them to perform the desired physical and mental works needed everyday.

Bangladesh Scenario:

According to WHO report 2014, out of total deaths, 3.48% belong to kidney diseases. Almost 16-18% people of our country are suffering from kidney disease in different stages. More than 30,000 people become victims of chronic renal failure every year needing expensive treatment support of either dialysis or transplantation. Besides that, approximately 25,000 people suffer from acute renal failure every year due to different causes majority of them are recoverable with the help of appropriate medical care. (Source: Kidney Foundation Bangladesh & www.worldlifeexpectancycom/Bangladesh-kidney-disease).

As we know, population of Bangladesh is higher than that of Japan. It is learnt that japan has 3.5 lac dialysis machines for treatment of their people whereas we have only 2,000 units of the same for our entire population.

Lack of Awareness — a serious concern:

The disease mostly remains asymptomatic till the patient reaches last stage of kidney dysfunction. So, the practice of awareness campaign and routine check-up with particular focus on kidney-health should be prioritized. This is significantly important not only for saving lives but also to minimize a huge national burden.

Bangladesh statistics in a nutshell (fig. are approximate):

Population  :   16 crore

No. of kidney disease patients : 02 crore

No. of acute renal failure patients :  25-30000 per year

No. of chronic renal failure patients :  35-40000 per year

Total no. of Kidney Disease Specialists : 100 only

Total no. of kidney transplant surgeons : 20 only

No. of clinic/hosp. with dialysis facility : 130

No. of dialysis machines :  2000

Total capacity of dialysis for : 12000 patients only

Above statistics reveal that the existing treatment facilities cannot meet more than 25% of total dialysis requirement. Inadequate dialysis facility and financial constraint of common people are the two major limitations behind nation-wide sufferings of our people from renal failure. (Source-Bangladesh Renal Association)

Government/Non-government service providers

Bangladesh Govt. has taken initiatives for establishment of two out-patient hemodialysis centers at NIKDU hospital, Dhaka and CMC Hospital, Chittagong on Public Private Partnership (PPP) model with Sandor Medicaid’s private Ltd of India for expansion of at least 80-110 dialysis stations at these two hospitals. At the same time, Government took special initiative to provide facilities at subsidized rate of Tk. 400/- per dialysis for poor patients (Source-international Finance Corporation).

Ministry of Health is also expanding dialysis facilities in different Govt. hospitals of the country. If above mentioned multi-level development programs of the government continues to sustain, overall disastrous kidney disease/renal impairment situation is expected to be minimized satisfactorily.

Concept of Satellite Dialysis Service

Since the patients with renal failure have scope for survival and leading normal life through availing prescribed level of dialysis care, the concept of satellite dialysis services is established world- wide as an effective and successful method for wide range of patient care. For example, NIPRO JMI dialysis centre, Panthapath, Dhaka is operating as a world-class satellite dialysis centre being patronized by world’s leading renal products manufacturer, NIPRO Corporation, Japan. Resourceful individuals/organizations are encouraged to come forward to commission such satellite service stations in different locations of the country to help the less privileged group of people survive and lead normal working life. This initiative is believed to serve the purpose of humanitarian service as well as the national interest.

Conclusion:

Healthcare providers like SQUARE, UNITED, APOLLO, LABAID, BIRDEM, KAMPS, SIBL, ISKKC, Al-Arafah Bank, Ibn Sina and some other healthcare institutions are also expanding service in this critical field. But in the light of above statistics which reveals a huge gap between the requirement and existing healthcare facilities, it is felt that an immediate and massive development is required in public and private sector to resolve this burning national health issue. This is very important to save our people from probable epidemic form of kidney diseases. Provision of early diagnosis and treatment facilities will save the nation from the predictable disastrous health crisis as well as from a huge economic burden. In this respect private sector healthcare providers should be encouraged through providing required and legitimate facilities by the government in order to make their projects viable. Like many other countries in the world, health insurance support for our people is also felt to be an important requirement for the sake of saving lives.

Md. Abdur Razzaq, one of the distinguished business personalities and the Managing Director of JMI GROUP. The JMI Group is one of the world renowned and diversified global conglomerates of 32 companies with more than 7,000 highly dedicated and educated workforces particularly in the healthcare services.