Kidney Association Says Be Kind to Your Kidneys

Anna Cortez

Starting today and for the remainder of the week, the Kidney Association of Belize has embarked on a sensitization and education campaign entitled “Empowering the Kidneys through Healthy Lifestyles.” The goal is to create awareness on the various kidney diseases and other illnesses that continue to plaque the Belizean society. At today’s clinic at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, nephrologist Doctor Shazia Khan saw over a dozen patients with various stages of renal failure. She will be joined by another colleague from the United States, Doctor Ronald Hyde on Thursday for day-two of consultations at the K.H.M.H. after which a symposium will be held at the Holy Redeemer Parish Hall in Belize City. Administrator Anna Cortez spoke to News Five about this week’s campaign.

Anna Cortez, Administrator, Kidney Association of Belize

“She had clinic here today at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital; tomorrow, her clinics will continue and then she will be joined by Doctor Hyde who is a nephrologist coming from the states as well. His clinics will go on to Friday and so we are inviting the public if you would like to join us tomorrow at the K.H.M.H., you are welcome. Also tomorrow we will be having a symposium at the Holy Redeemer Parish Hall from six-thirty to nine o’clock. We will be having a panel of guest speakers; the two main speakers will be Doctors Khan and Hyde and we will be there from six-thirty to nine. The public is invited to come out there and listen because we find out that the kidney is a very important organ and the rise of the disease is very high in Belize. People don’t know about it and we are trying to educate the community.”

The symposium will be held on Thursday evening at six-thirty at the Holy Redeemer Parish Hall in Belize City; entrance is free.