07 Aug 2016

The Botswana Kidney Society, in conjunction with Be Active sport management, BomAid and the Botswana Kidney Society on Saturday hosted the inaugural Kgale Hill charity climb.

The activity was meant to raise funds in order to assist patients with kidney problems and assist government with its mandate of encouraging healthy lifestyles.

One of the organisers, Tlamelo Joseph  indicated that the event was not only meant for kidney patients, but was also a wellness day with different activities such as hill climbing, aerobics, blood tests and weight loss counselling.

While grownups partook in the activities, children amused themselves with jumping castles, face painting and clowns.

With the event taking place for the first time, Joseph advised Batswana to support the event in large numbers next year.

Joseph is the founder of The Help Foundation, which was set up in 2010 to help the needy families. He was also amongst the artistes who built a one roomed house for a needy person in Mahalapye in 2012. For her part, Be Active’s Kgomotso Manewe said they started this initiative as a way to create exposure for the Botswana Kidney Society.

Giving a briefing on the kidney disease in Botswana, Tshegofatso Rakgati of Botswana Kidney Society said not so long ago even those in the health sector did not know much about the kidney disease.

“Our knowledge was limited to text books,” she said, adding that the number of kidney disease sufferers had grown significantly with 300 patients currently undergoing haemodialysis. 

She noted that they do not have all the statistics of kidney disease sufferers in Botswana.

“The disease is caused by among others high blood pressure, diabetes, genetic diseases, autoimmune diseases, and certain prescribed drugs,” said Rakgati, also adding that young people doing drugs were most likely to be affected by kidney disease.

“There also seems to be a necessity for primary education on kidney disease from an early age although statistics do reveal that kidney disease is more common in adults,” she continued, also indicating that the society was currently working on a nationwide programme that aims to create a platform for sufferers to share experiences with their families, friends, and the general public.

Bomaid marketing and sales manager, Beulah Mapitse said the company recognised the importance of working hand in hand with the Botswana Kidney Society to assist them the best way they could.

“We intend to make this a long lasting partnership,” she said.

To date, kidney disease has affected 10 per cent of the general population in the Western world.

In Botswana, while there may be no statistics on the rate and prevalence of kidney failure in Botswana, trends indicate that the condition is on the rise. 

Sometimes referred to as the silent killer, kidney disease is often diagnosed at a stage when the kidneys are damaged almost beyond repair and very little can be done. 

People still die from this disease as treatment does not always suffice. ENDS.