LEGAZPI  CITY –  Dr. Edwin Tan, of the National Kidney and Transplant Institute, on Tuesday  said the twin organ responsible for helping remove waste and toxins will only work if properly kept in shape.

In a radio program of the Philippine Information Agency here, he said renal disease prevention and transplant advocacy are key to the celebration of Kidney Disease Prevention Month in June.

Tan said the institute is marking the 16th year of  the Renal Disease Control Program with proceedings led by Dr. Antonio Paraiso, manager.

“Filipinos should know that kidney failure is the No. 10 leading killer disease in the country,” he said. “High blood pressure is No.2 cause of kidney disease.”

Tan said a patient with end-stage renal disease would have to spend at least P40,000 for dialysis and from P800,000 to P1 million for transplant.

“A person with kidney disease needs a transplant if the organ is functioning less than 15 percent,” he said, noting that the procedure helps ensure quality of life proper medical care.

According to Tan the No.1 cause of kidney failure is diabetes mellitus.

For good measure, he said a person should have urinalysis at least once a year, check serum creatinine, blood sugar and blood count along with blood pressure monitoring.

While calling for a healthy lifestyle, Tan advised against resorting to unproven remedies and procedures.

(Published in the Manila Standard Today newspaper on /2012/June/07)

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