Samoa will join the rest of the world to celebrate World Kidney Day this week. 

Celebrated on the 14th of March, the day is used as a global awareness campaign to raise awareness of the importance of  kidneys. 

The day is an initiative by International Federation of Kidney Foundations and International Society of Nephrology (ISN).

The theme for this year’s celebration is "Kidney health for everyone everywhere."

The Samoa National Kidney Foundation (NKF) has prepared various events to promote awareness and advocate for kidney health for all Samoans from 13-20 of March.

For instance, NKF is offering free kidney checkups for members of the public on Monday, 11 and Tuesday, 12 of March from 9.00 am to 3.00pm at their main headquarters at Moto’otua Hospital.

“On Wednesday, 13 of March from 9.00am to 12.00pm is the official start of the Kidney Week in Samoa.

“Residents of Savaii will be offered free kidney checks on Thursday, 14 of March from 10.00am to 3.00pm at Neiafu, Alataua-i-Sisifo.

“But also on Thursday, 14 and Friday, 15 of March in Savaii, awareness programs on kidney health and healthy eating will be held at Savaii Sisifo College and Neiafu Primary School from 12.00pm-2.00pm,” stated a notice by Digicel and NKF on Sunday Samoan yesterday.

The public notice also said that Sataua Hospital in Savaii will also be offering free checks for members of the public on Friday this week.

“The Salelologa market in Savaii will also host free kidney checks on Saturday, 16 of March from 9.00 am to 12.00pm.

“Upolu residents are offered free kidney checks from Monday, 18^th to Wednesday 20 of March at SNPF Plaza from 9.30am to 3.00pm.

“But NKF’s main headquarters at Moto’otua Hospital will offer free kidney checks from the 20-22 of March.”

Around 850 million people worldwide are now estimated to have kidney diseases from various causes. 

Chronic kidney diseases (CKD) cause at least 2.4 million deaths per year and are now the 6th fastest growing cause of death.

Acute kidney injury (AKI), an important driver of CKD, affects over 13 million people worldwide and 85% of these cases are found in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). 

Around 1.7 people are estimated to die annually because of AKI.