Samoa’s worrying kidney failures under focus on World Kidney Day

By Talaia Mika

APIA, SAMOA – 11 MARCH 2022: The rapid and cumulative number of kidney failures in the country came under focus at the National Kidney Foundation as Samoa commemorated the World Kidney Day yesterday.

Established in 2005 with only 6 patients, the National Kidney Foundation now has 170 patients in Upolu and Savaii and has already strained the health budget by $107million tala in the last 16 years.

What is worrying is the fact that not only the cases are rapidly increasing but the age group of those affected is getting younger.

The main problem is the change in lifestyle and diet with the high consumption of sugary and processed foods and the lack of physical exercise.

The Minister of Health, Valasi Togamaga Tafito Selesele speaking at the World Kidney Day commemoration.

According to available data, Chronic Kidney Diseases in Samoa are recorded in the following age groups:

• 65 years or older  – 38%
• 45–64 years – 12%
• 18–44 years –   6%

The youngest patient to have undergone dialysis treatment since the establishment of the NKF was a 16-years-old.

In the commemoration of the World Kidney Day, NKF launched a new Guide Book in the Samoan language and lays down guidelines for kidney specialists and doctors to conduct dialysis in district hospitals for rural residents to conduct their dialysis treatment.

Noted in this guideline, 60,520 of Samoa’s population at the age 15 years and over are in some stage of Chronic Kidney Disease.

Four hundred and ninety-nine (499) people registered at NKF, including patients who are being monitored and on the way to undergo dialysis treatment.

The Minister of Health, Valasi Togamaga Tafito Selesele in his keynote address, challenged the four hundred and ninety nine (499) registered NKF patients to change their lifestyles.

“The purpose of today and this program is, what causes this problem and what can we do about it with the technology and knowledge we have today?” he said.

“It’s either the lack of staff or the outpatient care programs which haven’t been followed up that’s to blame by many? My challenge to us all is, why not start now?” the Minister asked.

“It all starts from Primary Health care solutions,” the Minister stated.

Since establishment 16 years ago, the NKF graphs have consistently been pointing up and the numbers have never dropped since 2005.

The Minister urged the nation to return to a healthy lifestyle that starts with a healthy diet and physical exercise.

The high incidence of kidney diseases directly linked to life style diseases known as Non Communicable Diseases – NCDs that cause obesity, diabetes, heart conditions, gout that lead to chronic kidney diseases and patients ending up on dialysis treatment.