The Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) Bicol strengthened its campaign against chronic kidney disease (CKD) with the ceremonial launch of a urine albumin-creatinine ratio (uACR) screening machine as it observes National Kidney Month.

The initiative aims to identify individuals at risk of CKD before the disease progresses to its advanced stages, when patients may require dialysis or kidney transplantation.

“That is why we are observing National Kidney Month through advocacy campaigns, lectures, and screening activities to help our constituents,” DOH-Bicol Regional Program Manager for the CKD Prevention and Control Program, Raymond Martin Corpus, said during the uACR launch here.

The uACR machine can detect kidney damage in its early stages, allowing patients to receive timely medical intervention before the disease progresses to Stage 5 CKD.

“We should not allow patients to reach Stage 5 chronic kidney disease, where dialysis or kidney transplantation becomes the only remaining intervention. Through uACR screening, the disease can be detected at an early stage,” Corpus said.

To be prioritized for free screening are high-risk individuals, including those with hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and a history of smoking history or kidney disease.

Some 50 individuals are initially targeted to undergo free screening. (PNA)