Breakthrough diabetes drug offers hope for chronic kidney disease
Lipa unveils a drug set to transform care for diabetes patients with chronic kidney disease, offering hope to a broader range of individuals.
POLOKWANE – The Limpopo Independent Practitioner Association (Lipa) convened last Thursday at Fusion Boutique Hotel to unveil a groundbreaking drug poised to transform the care of diabetes patients with chronic kidney disease.
Dr Mabowa Makhomisane, chairperson of Lipa and a diabetologist, addressed guests, highlighting the significant potential of Dapagliflozin.
Originally developed for diabetes management, this medicine has shown remarkable promise in slowing the progression of chronic kidney disease and has beneficial effects for patients with heart failure and high blood pressure.
“Dapagliflozin offers hope to a broader range of individuals beyond just those with diabetes,” Makhomisane told Polokwane Observer.
During the presentation, Makhomisane discussed the global scope of chronic kidney disease, which affects over 800 million people worldwide.
He revealed that only one in 10 individuals are aware they have the condition, and currently, only 5% of those suffering from chronic kidney disease are diagnosed, a situation attributed to infrequent screening.
Makhomisane urged healthcare professionals in Limpopo to enhance screening practices.
He recommended that patients with diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart conditions undergo at least one annual check-up to facilitate early detection of kidney disease.
He expressed hope that both public and private sector patients in the province would benefit from this innovative drug, advising its immediate consideration for those showing signs of kidney disease to extend dialysis-free periods and reduce risks of stroke, heart attack, and heart failure.
Emphasising the need for both blood and urine tests for accurate diagnosis, Makhomisane said that patients with diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart-related conditions are at a significantly higher risk of developing kidney disease, which can lead to severe complications.
“Once kidney function begins to fail, the risk of other health issues increases, and in extreme cases, patients may need dialysis until a suitable donor is found. This highlights the urgency of adopting new solutions like Dapagliflozin,” he added.
