By Aziz Khatri
KARACHI: Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) will launch a citywide kidney screening program at the Union Council level to improve early detection of kidney-related diseases and expand access to preventive healthcare, Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab has said.
The mayor directed the Karachi Institute of Kidney Diseases (KIKD) to conduct the screening program on a large scale in coordination with Union Council chairmen.
The initiative is intended to identify kidney-related health problems at an early stage, assess their prevalence across the city and refer people requiring further care to appropriate healthcare facilities.
Wahab said many kidney diseases can remain undetected until they reach an advanced stage, making early screening particularly important. Conducting preliminary tests within local communities, he said, would make it easier for people with limited access to specialized healthcare to seek timely medical advice.
“Our objective is not merely to conduct screening tests; our objective is to ensure that those citizens who are found to be affected also receive proper guidance, treatment and medical care,” he said.
The mayor said patients identified through the program would be referred for further medical assessment and treatment where required. He also praised the performance of KIKD, saying the institution was providing specialized services to patients from Karachi as well as other parts of Pakistan.
Wahab said the program formed part of KMC’s wider effort to strengthen public healthcare and expand preventive services at the grassroots level. An awareness campaign on kidney-related diseases will also be launched to promote early screening, diagnosis and treatment.
He stressed the role of Union Council chairmen in reaching communities, encouraging residents to participate in the screening program and connecting patients with relevant healthcare facilities.
The mayor directed KIKD officials and Union Council representatives to ensure effective coordination and planning so that the program could reach as many citizens as possible.
He said the screening initiative would also generate data on kidney-related health problems in Karachi, which could help authorities plan future healthcare services and interventions.
