KARACHI - Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) has conducted more than 2,000 Kidney Function Tests of common citizens during three days from March 12 to 14 while observing World Kidney Day. Kidney Function Tests including urine tests, blood tests, ultrasound, blood pressure, measurement of height & weight, were conducted at the main building of the SIUT, which is considered as a role model and a centre of excellence in the country, offering free services to kidney patients from all over the country. According to health experts, "The most common test of kidney function is a urine test. A simple "dipstick" is used to check levels of protein (proteinuria or albuminuria), sugar, ketones (formed when the body breaks down fat,) blood, nitrites (which increase when bacteria are present), and red and white blood cells. Even small amounts of protein in the urine show up before kidney disease has caused a loss of kidney function." "Kidney disease is more likely in people who have diabetes, high blood pressure, lower CD4 count, higher viral load and hepatitis B or C. Cases of renal failure are on the rise in Pakistan, one of ten people suffered from some sort of chronic kidney disease it accounted for 72 per cent of the total global burden of disease in people over 30 years with a high prevalence in developing countries. There are about 18 million people with diabetes and at least 40 per cent of them will develop chronic kidney disease. Of these 10 per cent will develop end-stage kidney disease. The risk factors include uncontrolled blood glucose, blood pressure, raised blood cholesterol and smoking." Results of kidney function test, conducted at SIUT, will come later, while such results will decide about the kidneys' health of 2,000 people, Dr Naqi Zafar, in-charge of SIUT Lab, told The Nation. He said, "Last year SIUT had conducted more than 1,500 kidney function tests on the same account. Out of them 15 per cent patients were found with the disease of hypertension, 12 per cent with diabetics, 8 per cent with chronic kidney diseases and 5 per cent were found to have kidney stones." He said that school-level students played vital role in performing such an important job. It is pertinent to mention here that, as per the practice, SIUT does not charge single penny to provide citizens with the facility of kidney function tests. Dr Zafar said that nearly Rs4,000 were being spent to conduct tests of each person, availing such free of cost facility.