Businesses and organisations are being urged to help reduce the incidence of kidney failure on the Island by organising health check-ups in the office.

Kathy Albuoy, community educator at the dialysis unit on Point Finger Road, said qualified nurses are willing to go into offices to carry out tests for blood pressure and diabetes to prevent the onset of chronic kidney failure.

The dialysis nurse said it was a free service and could be arranged at fairly short notice.

"We have been into schools, reinsurance companies and a number of different offices, as well as to charity meetings to carry out tests and talk about dialysis," she said.

"We generally find that one in every five people has high blood pressure. The majority of them don't even realise. We even find schoolchildren with high blood pressure. We are finding that the numbers are increasing. People are not going to the doctors for physical check-ups as often as they should, and sometimes are not keeping a check on their diet and lifestyle.

"But businesses and groups can get everyone checked over easily by asking us to come along for an hour or so to test those people who want to come along. It's voluntary - the tests are very quick and easy."

Ms Albuoy recommended that from the age of 16, people should get a thorough physical examination each year.

She said more children were suffering from the two conditions today than in previous years, again due to lifestyles.

She said: "A lot of children tend to stay at home playing on video games or watching television, so they don't get the same exercise as in the past. Lack of exercise can have an impact.

"Also at school, they are not as active as they used to be. I don't think they do as much as gym as they used.

"Exercise and diet helps both adults and children to combat these kinds of problems. People don't have to do anything too strenuous. Walking is very good."

She said the blood test, even though just a tiny prick of blood, would pick up on any ailments, not just kidney-related. However, she said diabetes and high blood pressure were causing more and more people in Bermuda to suffer chronic kidney failure, resulting in regular dialysis treatment and transplants.

Ms Albuoy added: "With early diagnosis and treatment, these problems may never need to get so bad. They can be easily brought under control."

For information about organising a health check-up for your business, church, school or group, call Ms Albuoy on 239-2028.

Further coverage on Page 8