Thursday 9th March is World Kidney Day and Martin Whitfield MSP has backed a parliamentary motion at Holyrood supporting the day and highlighting the importance of good kidney health.

The motion also draws attention to kidney disease and the associated mental health repercussions, as well as the physical impact of kidney disease.

It also refers to the current average waiting times experienced by patients who require a kidney transplant and the importance of living donation for people who are waiting for a transplant.

As a focus for the day this year, the Kidney Charities Together group (Kidney Care UK, Kidney Research UK, Kidney Wales, the NKF, the PKD Charity and the UKKA) is encouraging people to talk about their experiences with friends, family, colleagues, social media followers and local media to help raise awareness.

Martin Whitfield MSP said: 

“Around 3.5 million in the UK people are living with chronic kidney disease, so everyone is likely to know someone who is affected by it. Despite the prevalence of this life-limiting condition, far too many people continue to face excessive waiting times for a kidney transplant.

“This World Kidney Day, I was pleased to support the motion in parliament highlighting the day and acknowledge the many individuals and organisations who are working to help those living with chronic kidney disease and raise awareness of the condition.”

The full motion reads as follows:

That the Parliament recognises that 9 March 2023 is World Kidney Day; acknowledges that the day highlights the importance of kidney health, and draws attention to kidney disease and the associated mental health repercussions, as well as the physical impact of kidney disease; understands that around 3.2% of the population in Scotland have been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, and three million people across the UK as a whole; further understands that the average waiting time for a kidney transplant is two to three years; acknowledges what it sees as the importance of living donation for people in need of a kidney transplant, and thanks the many individuals and organisations that raise awareness of this condition each year.

Find out more at www.kidneycareuk.org/take-control-kidney-health/world-kidney-day-2023.