Dialysis Say Kidney Screening Tak Ka Safar | CKD Values In Our Community

When managing kidney disease, it’s crucial to understand that focusing solely on the medical aspects of the condition is not enough. A patient's socio-economic conditions, overall health, and the broader social determinants of health play significant roles in both the progression of kidney disease and the effectiveness of its treatment. This interaction between health and socio-economic status is something I’ve discussed repeatedly in my previous videos.

Today, I want to explore how our society’s socio-economic, emotional, mental, and religious health affects kidney disease. This influence is profound and persistent, and unless we change our priorities, our community will continue to face losses due to kidney disease.

The Interplay Between Kidney Disease and Socio-Economic Factors

It’s essential to recognize that kidney disease doesn’t exist in isolation. It both affects and is affected by a person’s socio-economic status. This means that treating kidney disease involves more than just addressing the physical symptoms; it requires a comprehensive approach that considers the patient’s environment, mental health, and societal pressures.

Socio-Economic Impact: A patient’s economic status can directly influence their ability to access quality healthcare. This, in turn, impacts their kidney disease. Patients with lower incomes might struggle to afford necessary medications, regular check-ups, or even basic dietary needs, all of which are critical in managing kidney disease effectively.

Mental and Emotional Health: Chronic illnesses like kidney disease can take a toll on a patient’s mental health. The stress of managing the disease, combined with economic pressures and social stigmas, can exacerbate their condition. It’s vital to address these mental health challenges as part of a holistic treatment plan.

Personal Stories: Lessons from Pakistan

Before diving into specific examples, let me share some personal stories from my encounters with Pakistani hospitals and clinics before I returned to Pakistan. These experiences taught me invaluable lessons and provided insights into how socio-economic factors play into the management of kidney disease.

Encounter with a Major Kidney Center: Before returning to Pakistan, I reached out to a prominent kidney center in Sialkot, hoping to contribute to my hometown’s healthcare system. My discussions with the center focused heavily on dialysis, as they were expanding their dialysis unit from 75 to 100 machines, performing over 3,000 to 4,000 dialysis sessions monthly.

Despite my efforts to shift the conversation towards early screening and prevention—specifically in preventing kidney stones and managing early-stage CKD—the focus remained on dialysis. The center's leadership seemed less interested in preventive measures, which was disheartening but not uncommon.

Approach to a Major Hospital and Medical College in Sialkot: My next attempt was with a large institution that houses both a hospital and a medical college. I proposed a community-wide screening initiative to catch kidney disease early, potentially preventing progression to dialysis or transplant.

However, the response was dismissive. I was urged to focus on starting a transplant program instead, as it was perceived to be a higher caliber contribution. While I understand the importance of transplants, my primary goal was to emphasize prevention, which they didn’t prioritize.

Discussion with Leading Labs in Lahore: Lastly, I approached a few major laboratories in Lahore with the idea of a research project aimed at identifying patients with elevated creatinine levels. The goal was to educate these patients about kidney disease and encourage them to see a nephrologist. Unfortunately, the lab directors were hesitant, fearing that such efforts would be met with suspicion and could be interpreted as a scheme to generate more business.

Cultural and Psychological Barriers to Preventive Care

These experiences highlight a broader cultural and psychological issue within our society. There’s a deep-rooted belief that charity, especially in healthcare, is most effective when it involves providing direct, tangible help to those in visible distress—such as offering free dialysis to someone already suffering from severe kidney disease. This approach, while well-intentioned, overlooks the importance of prevention and early intervention.

Charity vs. Prevention: Our culture tends to glorify acts of charity that alleviate visible suffering. Helping someone who is already in dire need gives us a sense of religious and moral fulfillment. However, this mindset often neglects preventive measures that could have kept the individual from reaching such a state of helplessness in the first place.

Preventive healthcare, like early screening for kidney disease, doesn’t offer the same immediate gratification or visible results. As a result, it’s often undervalued and underfunded, despite being crucial for long-term health outcomes.

The Need for a Shift in Priorities

The reluctance to invest in preventive care stems not just from institutions but also from the general public. There’s a pervasive mistrust in the healthcare system, leading to suspicions that preventive initiatives are merely profit-driven schemes. This distrust is a significant barrier to improving public health, particularly in the realm of kidney disease.

To truly make a difference in the fight against kidney disease, we must shift our focus from reactive to proactive care. This means investing in education, community outreach, and early screening programs that can catch the disease before it progresses to the point of requiring dialysis or transplant.

Conclusion: Redefining Success in Healthcare

In conclusion, our current healthcare approach tends to favor treating the consequences of diseases like kidney failure rather than preventing them. While providing free dialysis to thousands of patients is commendable, it’s equally important—if not more so—to invest in preventive measures that could save even more lives in the long run.

We need to redefine what success looks like in healthcare. It’s not just about the number of dialysis sessions performed or transplants conducted. True success lies in reducing the number of people who ever need those treatments in the first place. To achieve this, we must embrace a more holistic, preventive approach to kidney disease, one that addresses not just the medical, but also the socio-economic and psychological factors that contribute to the condition.