Beware of medical ads, RAK warns

ras al khaimah — Medical commercials on satellite channels, other mass media and social websites are misleading and pose a grave risk to patients’ health, according to nephrologists and specialists here.

The specialists participating at the 10th conference on the prevention of kidney diseases and transplantation affirmed that efforts to use stem cells in treating diabetes and immune diseases are still experimental in nature. “They have not reached a point where clinical trials are close.”

Dr Abdullah Al Nuaimi, Director of the RAK Medical Zone, said the conference, organised at the Obaidullah Hospital, saw the participation of 250 internal doctors and medical professionals, technicians, nurses and students.

“The function was a big success as the RAK Medical Zone spares no effort to use the best results of scientific researches worldwide to ease patients’ sufferings, particularly those with kidney failure.”

Dr Abdulbasit Al Esawi, consultant nephrologist and professor of kidney diseases, said some types of kidney diseases can be treated whereas chronic kidney disease has no cure.

“We only help control signs and symptoms, reduce complications and slow progression of the disease.”

If the kidneys become severely damaged, the patient may need treatment for end-stage kidney disease, he added. “Transplantation is another efficient solution in case of kidney failure.”

He said the medical information collected from the media commercials and social websites can prove hazardous. “Falsehoods easily propagate on the Internet, particularly as inaccurate sites often link to other data that reinforces those misconceptions and rumours.”

If it’s a non-emergency or general wellness inquiry, the Internet can be consulted in this case. ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com