The Ministry of Public Health revealed this week that over 8 million Thais suffer from chronic kidney disease, with half of those also suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure.
In the run up to World Kidney Day next month, the ministry reveals Thailand ranks third in the Asean community for the number of citizens diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, just behind Malaysia and Singapore.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Surasak Kantachuwessiri, president of the steering committee of World Kidney Day 2016, blamed the kidney disease cases on the high levels of sodium in Thai diets, mentioning the popularity of barbecue among Thais as an example of their preference for salty food.
There are also approximately 70,000 patients in Thailand who need kidney dialysis, with an annual increase of 7,000 – 8,000 patients who need the treatment.
The World Kidney Day event this year will be held on March 13 at CentralWorld, with the objective of encouraging parents to watch their children’s diets and decrease their consumption of processed foods, as the number of child patients are rising.
Studies have found that an average of five children in Thailand die from kidney disease each year, TNN reported.
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