Family health alert: What is CKD?

Sun Life of Canada (Philippines) Inc. and Boehringer Ingelheim (Philippines) Inc. recently renewed their expanded partnership at the Sun Life Centre in Bonifacio Global City. Designed to improve health outcomes and deliver greater value to Filipinos, the partnership now covers chronic kidney disease (CKD) awareness programs.

With more than 7 million Filipinos affected by CKD (https://tinyurl.com/mve5fhmz, ABS-CBN News) and the disease being among the leading causes of sickness and death in the Philippines (https://tinyurl.com/5y32e9kn, Department of Health), it is important that strategic and meaningful partnerships are forged to make a stronger impact for Filipinos. Sun Life and Boehringer Ingelheim recognize this problem as a trusted name in financial security and a global innovative leader in healthcare, respectively.

Ermel Teodoro, Interim General Manager Boehringer Ingelheim Philippines, said, “We collaborate with partners who we see have a common goal in making a real difference and a lasting impact to the lives of Filipinos in patient advocacy and disease awareness now, and for generations to come.”

Sun Life Philippines Country Head and CEO Benedict Sison said, “Since the beginning of our partnership in 2022, Sun Life and Boehringer Ingelheim have remained steadfast in driving towards our shared goal of empowering Filipinos to live healthier, fuller lives.”

The scope of the companies’ partnership programs includes awareness campaigns on common respiratory conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to rare respiratory conditions like pulmonary fibrosis and interstitial lung diseases. There are also non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, which are two of the primary conditions that often lead to CKD.

“This renewed tie-up allows us to go beyond providing financial products,” adds Sison. “By working together with Boehringer Ingelheim, we can empower the nation to take a more proactive approach in protecting their overall health.”

Teodoro also stated that obesity and sedentary lifestyle are also high risks for CKD. “Forty percent of Filipinos are suffering from obesity. Sedentary lifestyles, (such) with limited movements or activities, can lead you to obesity and therefore chronic kidney disease” (Balita, May 27, 2024).

Now that the partnership has expanded to cover CKD, Boehringer hopes to reach more Filipinos and raise awareness on the risks of CKD because according to Teodoro, the symptoms for this disease will only show up in the late stages when CKD has severely progressed (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, May 27, 2024). The best preventive measure against CKD is to get tested for it regularly. There is a simple two-step screening process to check kidney health. First is the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eFGR), a blood test that measures the waste called creatinine in your blood; second is the urine albumin-creatinine ratio (uACR) test that uses a urine sample to measure albumin, or protein level present in your urine (https://tinyurl.com/3vkufrx3, National Health Service).

Making healthy lifestyle decisions is a must, but there’s only so much we can do when there are inevitable factors such as family history and aging. That’s why getting tested regularly is the best way to keep your kidneys healthy. Teodoro reminds everyone to “let your dependents, friends and family know about the silent killer that is CKD. Reach out to your doctor as soon as possible and bring a loved one or two.”

Boehringer Ingelheim is working on breakthrough therapies that transform lives, today and for generations to come. As a leading research-driven biopharmaceutical company, the company creates value through innovation in areas of high unmet medical need. Founded in 1885 and family-owned ever since, Boehringer Ingelheim takes a long-term, sustainable perspective. More than 53,000 employees serve over 130 markets in the two business units, Human Pharma and Animal Health. More information is available at www.boehringer-ingelheim.com.