"If you have hypertension and diabetes, check your kidney often; the easiest urine test shows whether there is albumin or protein in the urine," said Maxi Rein Rondonuwu, Director General of Disease Prevention and Control at the Health Ministry.
During a press conference commemorating World Kidney Day in Jakarta, he said that the presence of protein in the urine of someone with hypertension is a strong indicator of potential kidney disease.
Rondonuwu said that globally, the number of people with kidney disease stands at more than two million, with only 10 percent of that population receiving dialysis treatment or a kidney transplant every year.
Meanwhile, the burden of state spending on kidney disease is Rp2.3 trillion (around US$147 million), he added.
For this reason, the Health Ministry will promote preventive actions and efforts to increase public awareness about kidney disease.
"The cheapest promotional and preventive effort is to increase public awareness with a clean lifestyle and frequent health checks," he said.
He suggested that people start with early screening and improve their lifestyle, diet, increase physical activity, reduce smoking, and prevent obesity to reduce the risks of kidney damage.
He also called for primary-level treatment to control the risk factors that cause kidney disease.
He also sought mapping of medical equipment needs to support regional hospitals.
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Translator: Fitra, Kenzu
Editor: Anton Santoso
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