On March 13, 2025, the second Gdansk edition of World Kidney Day was held at the Madison Shopping Mall in Gdansk. This is an international initiative launched in 2006 to raise public awareness of the importance of kidneys, prevention of kidney-related diseases and treatment methods.
Photo: Rafał Mielczarek, Judyta Borchet
The organizers of this year’s campaign are the University of Gdansk and Gdansk Medical University. This is the second Gdansk edition, which is supported by the Center for Sustainable Development, together with the Center for Student and Doctoral Activities of the UG and the Medical University of Gdansk. The coordinators of the campaign are Judyta Borchet, PhD, from the Institute of Psychology at the UG Faculty of Social Sciences and Jakub Ruszkowski, PhD, from the Department of Nephrology, Transplantation and Internal Medicine at GUMed
As part of the event, simple diagnostic tests were conducted at a specially prepared booth at the Madison Gallery in Gdansk, aimed at detecting potential health problems related to kidney disease. More than 170 people took part in the tests. Among other things, blood pressure was measured on site, as well as blood glucose and creatinine levels in capillary blood. Those wishing to participate could also receive urine test strips, as well as obtain information on taking care of kidney health (including the availability of dietary advice at the National Nutrition Education Center).
“On March 13, various events are held around the world to promote health and educate the public about kidney disease prevention. In the case of kidneys, we may not be aware that we have a health problem for a very long time, which is why prevention is so important,” stressed Judyta Borchet, PhD, form the Institute of Psychology at the UG Faculty of Social Sciences.
On the part of the Center for Sustainable Development, the initiative is supported by Bartosz Duraj, coordinator of CZRUG’s Community Cooperation program.
“We are actively involved in activities of a preventive nature. As the Center for Sustainable Development, we feel the responsibility for the implementation of such an important goal, which is goal three of the Agenda for Sustainable Development – good health and quality of life,” says Bartosz Duraj, coordinator of the CZRUG Social Environment Cooperation program.
Kidney diseases tend to be progressive, leading to a gradual deterioration in the function of these organs. In Poland, it is the second most common condition, right after hypertension. About 4.7 million people in Poland struggle with kidney problems, which means that the disease affects an average of one in eight of the country’s residents.
“Chronic kidney disease is highly prevalent and underdiagnosed. In the early stages, the patient experiences no symptoms. We want to show that such simple examinations as blood pressure measurement and bar tests already allow an initial indication of whether it is worth referring to a specialist,” alarms Professor Maria Alicja Debska-Slizien from the Department of Nephrology, Transplantology and Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine at GUMed.
The highest risk of the disease is in elderly, overweight people, cigarette smokers and those genetically burdened with congenital kidney diseases. People with hypertension or diabetes are also particularly vulnerable. However, it is important to remember that chronic kidney failure can occur regardless of age.
“What is unprecedented nationwide, we had the opportunity to measure creatinine from capillary blood. This allowed us to find out whether kidney function is normal. We were also able to detect a few people today in whom we found elevated creatinine levels, and these people were referred for further diagnosis to their family doctor and nephrologist,” reports Jakub Ruszkowski, PhD, from the Department of Nephrology, Transplantation and Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine at GUMed.
You can read more about World Kidney Day on the official website.
See also: March 9 – World Kidney Day 2023 at the University of Gdansk
