In the report shared with the public at the press conference held by AstraZeneca Turkey, the burden of chronic kidney disease on the healthcare system, its environmental effects, the importance of early diagnosis and efforts to prevent the progression of the disease were discussed.
The study, prepared with the life cycle assessment (LCA) method in line with the "Healthy Kidney, Healthy World" approach, included the environmental dimension of the disease as well as its effects on individuals and society.
The study shows that expanding early diagnosis and preventing disease progression can provide gains in terms of individual health outcomes as well as the sustainability of health systems and the environment.
In the study, the annual total carbon footprint of chronic kidney disease in Türkiye was calculated as 2.84 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e). This value means the environmental impact equivalent to an airplane circling the world 4,717 times, the annual carbon footprint of 591,646 households, and a journey of 8.35 billion kilometers made by a vehicle.
According to the research, transportation of patients, hospitalizations and dialysis treatments used in advanced stages of kidney failure stand out as three factors in the release of carbon gases that harm the environment.
"We aim to contribute to global and strategic planning"
Adana City Hospital Internal Medicine Department Faculty Member and Turkish Health Institutes Presidency (TÜSEB) Vice President Prof. Dr. In his statement to the AA correspondent, Hilmi Erdem Sümbül stated that their main goal as the institute is not only to be a research-funding organization, but also to support scientific transformation in health and contribute to global and strategic planning in this direction.
Mentioning that regulations regarding kidney health have been made by the World Health Assembly (DSA), Sümbül said, "Kidney health is not a problem that concerns only one branch or group. It is a serious public health problem that affects the entire health system. The World Health Assembly has made clear plans for this in the form of 'Early diagnosis, intervention, early treatment and prevention'." he said.
Stating that they are working on plans for the early detection of chronic kidney disease and other conditions related to kidney health in the health system with the stakeholders they work with in Türkiye, Sümbül made the following evaluations:
"We plan to integrate the examination, which shows protein excretion in the kidney, which we call urinary rate, which is of great importance for both kidney and heart health, into our health system within the scope of early diagnosis and prevention activities. In line with the decisions we took in the workshop we organized with our stakeholders, we are making plans for early diagnosis and prevention by coming together with not only a branch of chronic kidney disease, but also family physicians, internal medicine specialists, nephrologists, even cardiologists and the entire health system."
Hacettepe University Hospitals Internal Medicine Department and Nephrology Department Faculty Member Prof. Dr. Mustafa Arıcı also pointed out that diabetes and hypertension are among the important risk factors that can damage kidney cells in the long term.
Emphasizing that keeping blood sugar and blood pressure at normal levels is important for protecting kidney health, Arıcı continued as follows:
"The main risks that damage the kidneys are consuming too much salt, sedentary life, obesity and smoking. If we want our quality of life to be good, let's be active, eat less salt, not smoke and protect ourselves from obesity. Using unnecessary medications or using unfamiliar herbal products can also damage the kidney."
Referring to the importance of adequate fluid intake, Arıcı said, "It is necessary not to become dehydrated. We do not have a rule that one must drink a lot of water. In other words, those who drink tea, coffee or soup also drink water. However, sufficient amounts of water should also be drunk."
"We address early diagnosis, cooperation and sustainable health services together"
AstraZeneca Türkiye Country President Dr. Münevver Gönenç also said that they discussed early diagnosis, cooperation and sustainable health services together, and that it is possible to achieve better patient outcomes with early diagnosis, as well as reduce the burden on health systems, use resources more efficiently and build a more sustainable future.
Gönenç said, "The study reveals the multidimensional impact of chronic kidney disease, extending from the individual to the health system and the environment. The important thing is not only to measure the impact, but also to make visible the solution areas through early diagnosis, prevention of disease progression, integrated care and more efficient service models. Therefore, our priority is to develop solutions while measuring the impact of the disease. In cooperation with the public, the scientific world and health professionals, we will continue to work for solutions that strengthen the sustainability of health systems."
