Sonar Bangla Foundation
Kidney Disease Screening and Prevention Program
One major reason behind the high prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Bangladesh is due to the high prevalence of diabetes and hypertension in the area. However, the general lack of awareness regarding different non-communicable diseases (like diabetes, hypertension and CKD) have resulted in the majority of patients not seeking any health care until signs or symptoms of kidney disease appear, by which time much of the damage has already been done.
In 2019, SBF launched its Kidney Disease Screening and Prevention Program in the district of Rajshahi as a pilot project, with the goal of raising awareness about CKD (and its associated non-communicable diseases and risks) and conducting annual screening for it, so as to reduce the number of end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients, since ESRD is often preventable if managed early. SBF partnered with medical students from Rajshahi Medical College to conduct this initiative and screened over 1600 individuals in the area and provided one-on-one counseling to those at risk (over 700).
The project found that education is a barrier to healthcare and that there is a lack of compliance to medication due to education and cost. The successful completion of this pilot project has encouraged SBF to expand this program in other rural parts of Bangladesh to reach a greater number of people and raise awareness of kidney disease among them.
Screening & Prevention
Screening Program Rajshahi
Some moments from the Kidney screening and prevention program that took place over seven days in Puthia, Rajshahi, in 2018. More than 200 patients receive screening services each day.
Screening & Prevention
Screening Program Bogura
Some moments from the Kidney screening and prevention program that took place over seven days in Bogura, in 2022. More than 200 patients receive screening services each day.
