Students from the College of Medicine and Health Sciences at the Arabian Gulf University (AGU) have launched an awareness campaign on kidney diseases themed “Are Your Kidneys Healthy?”. The initiative aims to enhance health awareness within the university community regarding the importance of maintaining kidney health and preventing related diseases. 

More than 50 students participated in organising the campaign, volunteering to manage the event and raise awareness about the symptoms and risks associated with kidney diseases, as well as the underlying conditions that contribute to them. They provided comprehensive information about the symptoms of kidney diseases and their potential health impacts, while also highlighting key conditions that can lead to kidney deterioration, such as hypertension and diabetes.

The campaign, hosted at the Avenues Mall, featured several stations, including one for consultations with specialist doctors, targeting mall visitors who engaged actively with the campaign’s efforts and expressed great interest in learning about prevention methods and early diagnosis of kidney diseases.

Dr Aseel Al Saleh, Dean of Student Affairs at AGU, stated that this campaign is part of ongoing initiatives organised by medical students aimed at raising awareness about the significance of disease prevention. The campaign focused on how to care for the kidneys to maintain overall health, while promoting health awareness among the university community regarding the importance of kidney health. She added that the organising students provided thorough information about the symptoms and potential dangers of kidney diseases, in addition to informing attendees about major ailments that contribute to kidney health decline, such as hypertension and diabetes.

“Kidney diseases are prevalent among many individuals in the region, which is why it is essential to continue organising such campaigns to raise awareness about the risks of these diseases and the methods for prevention,” Dr Al Saleh explained.

Elaborating further, she mentioned that the participating students are gaining practical experience while promoting health awareness and providing important information to the public to help them understand the risks associated with the kidneys and preventive measures, especially as kidney diseases are on the rise significantly.

On his part, Mr Abdulaziz Al Qusair, Head of the Organising Committee and Medical Student, said: “The campaign received a positive response from everyone, with mall visitors showing keen interest in obtaining the information we provided after learning about prevention methods and early diagnosis of kidney diseases, as well as their links to other health conditions. Notably, doctors participating in the campaign highlighted the dangers of neglecting diabetes treatment, which is a major cause of kidney diseases, often leading to chronic kidney disease. There was also notable engagement when discussing the idea of kidney donation during one’s lifetime and after death.”