Over 2,000 Kidney Patients Identified In Kelantan

KOTA BHARU, April 4 (Bernama) -- More than 2,000 kidney patients in Kelantan are currently undergoing dialysis treatment, and this number is expected to increase if risk factors are not well managed.

Kelantan State Health Department deputy director (Medical) Dr. Rohana Daud said that this number involves patients who are already in critical condition, but patients in the early stages, namely stages one to three, are still under health monitoring.

"The increase in these cases is due to non-communicable diseases such as uncontrolled diabetes and hypertension, as well as the problem of obesity among the community," he said to reporters after the launching ceremony of World Kidney Day 2026 at the Dialysis Centre of Medicare Sdn Bhd here today.

Elaborating further, Dr. Rohana said that taking medication without supervision, including painkillers and unregistered traditional medicine, can affect kidney function.

"The careless attitude towards health among the community also contributes to the increase in the number of kidney patients, and even unregistered traditional medicines without doctor supervision can cause kidney damage," she said.

She said that kidney disease does not show clear symptoms in the early stages, causing it to be detected in many patients only when it has reached a serious stage.

Dialysis treatment facilities in government hospitals are provided especially for those in need, but their capacity is limited due to constraints in machines and facilities.

"One dialysis machine can only accommodate a few patients in rotation, causing some patients to seek treatment at private centres," she also said.

She added that preventive measures through healthy lifestyle practices are very important to curb the increase in kidney disease cases in the state.

-- BERNAMA