As part of the awareness initiatives for World Kidney Day 2026, celebrated on 12 March, Diaverum Portugal carried out a wide range of prevention and kidney health literacy actions across the country, reinforcing its commitment to early detection and health promotion within the community.
Throughout this national initiative, 654 free blood glucose and blood pressure screenings were carried out in clinics and in various community settings. These actions not only helped raise awareness of the main risk factors for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), but also made it possible to identify previously unknown clinical conditions, namely cases of diabetes and hypertension.
Cases were also detected in patients who had already been diagnosed but whose condition was not properly controlled, reinforcing the importance of regular monitoring. As a result, these initiatives led to several referrals to primary healthcare services and, in some cases, emergency departments, highlighting the direct impact of these actions on prevention and early follow-up.
Alongside the screenings, Diaverum Portugal also promoted other awareness activities. Special mention goes to the initiative led by the Diaverum Sertã unit, which organised health education activities in three primary schools in the Castelo Branco district, contributing to health literacy from an early age.
In addition, the Aveiro unit marked the date with the publication of an informative note in Diário de Aveiro, reinforcing the importance of prevention and public awareness regarding kidney disease.
Chronic kidney disease is often a silent condition in its early stages, making early detection essential to slow its progression and improve patients’ quality of life.
According to Dr Rui Filipe, National Medical Director of Diaverum Portugal:
“World Kidney Day represented an important opportunity for Diaverum to reinforce its commitment to kidney health in Portugal. This initiative allowed professionals who make a difference in their patients’ lives every day to also impact the wider community, identifying previously unknown conditions in several Portuguese citizens.
The initiative highlights the importance of early diagnosis of chronic kidney disease and reaffirms Diaverum’s strong commitment to improving health outcomes in this area by promoting a more preventive and effective approach.”
Meanwhile, Nurse Mónica Silva, National Nursing Director, stated:
“In this World Kidney Day celebration, we took on a fundamental role in raising public awareness of the importance of kidney health, particularly in terms of prevention and the early diagnosis of chronic kidney disease.
We believe that initiatives such as these are essential to bringing healthcare closer to the population, allowing the early identification of risk factors and clinical conditions that had not yet been diagnosed. The evidence gathered on the ground confirms that many of these cases could have progressed silently without timely intervention, with a significant impact on people’s health and quality of life.
In addition, these actions represent a strategic opportunity to promote health literacy and encourage the early adoption of preventive behaviours, thus contributing to more effective management of chronic diseases.
Carrying out these initiatives also highlights the importance of continuous, community-based intervention that goes beyond the traditional clinical setting, helping to reduce the impact of chronic kidney disease on the population. It is through this commitment to prevention and health education that it becomes possible to improve health outcomes and people’s quality of life.”
