Bobby Mudhar

Diabetes is the largest cause of kidney disease, with almost one in five people living with diabetes needing kidney treatment in their lifetime. Rajani has made it her mission to increase early diagnosis in people at risk of kidney disease, after her father's battle with diabetes ultimately led to kidney failure. She leads the ‘Diabetes - Prevention Against Chronic Kidney Disease Through Early Diagnosis’ (D-PACTED) project. Based in Cardiff and Newport, it seeks to inform and empower people from lower socio-economic and South Asian communities, who are particularly at risk, but most typically underserved by health services. “We want to raise awareness of kidney health and support people to advocate for themselves in healthcare settings, ensuring they are knowledgeable about what tests and treatments are available. I regularly attend events in the community, providing information and speaking in mosques, temples and churches to reach people who will benefit. “Many people, like me, have a family history of diabetes, high blood pressure, or kidney disease. It’s common for people to feel a sense of inevitability about inheriting a genetic condition and feeling that there is little that can be done to change their story. “The reality is that there is often something that can be done to protect our health and that can start by simply having the knowledge to ask your GP for a uACR test. Having the confidence to take that step is powerful and an early diagnosis can improve somebody’s quality of life immeasurably. “I’m very passionate about making a change for the wider community. It’s sad to see diabetes and kidney disease still affecting people’s lives despite advancements in healthcare. Nobody wants to be unwell and it’s upsetting when somebody could have been protected if they’d had more awareness at an earlier stage. “I hope more funding will go into early diagnosis and early intervention. A simple test can save and change lives, ultimately helping the NHS too, by preventing conditions becoming more serious. If more investment is not made in education and prevention, even more money will be needed to treat those conditions down the line.” Read more of Rajani's story here: bit.ly/41sND4Y #SouthAsianHeritageMonth