The figures released by Kidney Health Australia this week come at a time when Wagga Base Hospital’s renal unit is increasing its operating hours to cope with the number of patients needing dialysis.

“The statistics are alarming,” Member for Wagga Daryl Maguire said.

“Kidney disease it at the same rate as cancer, that’s how serious the problem is.

“There are currently people travelling hundreds of kilometres to Wagga for treatment every week and this is putting Wagga’s renal unit under pressure. Establishing satellite units in places like Tumut would take the pressure off Wagga’s service.”

Mr Maguire said the Wagga Base facility has been outgrown by the success of the program.

“What the Wagga unit needs is a temporary improvement to expand it until the new hospital is built,” he said.

“The unit needs more space, it has little storage and the waiting room consists of two park benches outside.”

The startling figures prompted Greater Southern Area Health Service (GSAHS) staff to provide free blood pressure checks and raise awareness at the Sturt Mall yesterday.

“Often there are no symptoms of kidney disease until it is too late,” GSAHS renal clinical nurse consultant Anthony Lucas said.

“While many kidney diseases are not preventable, knowing the risk factors and visiting your doctor regularly for a kidney health check can make a difference to the health of you kidneys.”