Brunei Darussalam is among the countries with the highest rates of end-stage kidney disease worldwide with cases rising annually.
The Brunei Darussalam Dialysis and Kidney Transplant Registry recorded 1,082 individuals with end-stage kidney disease in 2024, marking a 6.2-per-cent increase from 2023. Over the past three years (2022 to 2024), an average of 180 end-stage kidney disease patients have passed away each year.
Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar highlighted the alarming trend in a message yesterday to commemorate World Kidney Day observed on March 13.
He described chronic kidney disease as a significant global health threat, affecting more than 850 million people worldwide. If not detected and treated promptly, the disease can lead to severe kidney damage, eventually causing complete kidney failure. In such cases, the kidneys can no longer filter waste and fluids from the body, leading to serious complications and an increased risk of premature death.
Chronic kidney disease is the eighth leading cause of death globally, responsible for over 3.1 million deaths in 2019. Without urgent action, it is projected to become the fifth leading cause of death by 2040.
The minister emphasised that kidney disease is not only a medical concern but also a social issue, affecting families, the economy and the quality of life.
He urged the public to take kidney health seriously, noting that this year’s World Kidney Day theme ‘Are Your Kidneys OK? Detect Early, Protect Kidney Health’ serves as a reminder to prioritise early detection and prevention.
He called for greater awareness of kidney health and the early signs of kidney disease, stressing that prevention through early detection, healthy lifestyle choices, and proper management of chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure can help mitigate the disease’s impact.
Prevention efforts, he explained, involve three key levels. Primary prevention aims to reduce the risk of kidney disease by managing underlying health issues such as high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity. Secondary prevention focuses on slowing the progression of kidney disease in individuals already showing early signs of kidney damage through medical treatment, close monitoring, and lifestyle adjustments.
Tertiary prevention applies to individuals with kidney failure, requiring dialysis or kidney transplantation to replace lost kidney function. Additionally, preventive measures such as vaccinations help reduce complications associated with kidney failure.
The minister underscored that effective prevention at all levels depends on early detection and proper management of at-risk individuals or those already suffering from kidney damage. – James Kon
