Cyprus recorded the highest adjusted incidence rate of new cases of kidney failure in Europe, with 376 new cases per 1 million population in 2022, compared to the average of 158 cases in Europe, based on the official data from the European Renal Association Registry, Health Minister Michalis Damianos said on Thursday, speaking at an event for World Kidney Day at the Nicosia General Hospital.
In a speech at the event organised by the Nephrology and Transplant Clinic of the Nicosia General Hospital as part of the activities for World Kidney Day, the Minister of Health added that men are more prone to new diagnoses of kidney failure compared to women, and data on the median age of entry into renal replacement therapy show that most patients are aged 70-75 years.
Cyprus is the country with the highest percentage of patients with the primary cause of kidney disease being diabetes (almost 4 out of 10 patients), as well as hypertension (almost 2 out of 10 patients), he said.
He added that, acknowledging the seriousness of this situation, the Ministry of Health has undertaken a series of strategies to improve the situation, with a priority on informing the public about the importance of preventing kidney diseases and the need for regular check-ups.
He pointed out that since June 1, 2019, with the implementation of the General Health System (GeSY), Cypriot citizens have secured better access to medical care, while the implementation of the Personal Doctor institution has contributed to the recognition and timely monitoring of patients with kidney problems.
Kidney transplantation remains the primary treatment for end-stage renal failure with very high success rates, Damianos said, adding that the need for organ donation is continuously increasing, while at the same time the shortage of available grafts poses a significant global problem.
It is extremely important to strengthen the effort to promote organ donation, which is an act of solidarity and humanitarianism, recognizing the value of offering life and health to others, the Health Minister said, noting that especially in Cyprus, the Transplant Clinic of the Nicosia General Hospital has achieved significant milestones in the field of transplants since it began operating in 2011, with 336 kidney transplants, of which 214 were from living donors and 122 from deceased donors.
Noting that chronic kidney disease is the 5th leading cause of death worldwide and the morbidity and mortality rates remain high, Damianos said it is one of the most significant public health issues.
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Source: CNA
