ASUGI today inaugurated the teaching room of the Nephrology Department of the Maggiore Hospital in Trieste, dedicated to the memory of Cavaliere Leo Udina. The ceremony represents a tribute to the precious contribution of Udina, who passed away in 2023, to the support and defense of the rights of kidney patients.
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) affects approximately 7% of the Italian population and is often accompanied by other chronic pathologies such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. With an often asymptomatic course, CKD can lead to the need for advanced treatments such as dialysis and transplantation. In Trieste, there are a few thousand patients with CKD followed regularly, with around 300 people requiring renal function replacement treatments: 150 transplant recipients and 150 dialysis recipients.
In the context of chronic diseases, the relationship between healthcare professionals, patients and family members becomes crucial. As pointed out by Dr. Vittorio Di Maso, the commitment of the Complex Nephrology and Dialysis Structure of Trieste is aimed at guaranteeing continuity of care, patient centrality and personalization of care. This year, among the various projects, a prevention program was launched for the vaccination coverage of patients and their families, as well as the creation of facilitated paths for inclusion on the transplant list and for home dialysis, representing an important development in the integration between hospital and local services.
Patient associations, such as the National Association of Hemodialysis Patients, Dialysis and Transplant (ANED Onlus), play a key role in this context. ANED Onlus, awarded the Gold Medal of Merit for Public Health, works tirelessly to defend the rights of people with chronic kidney disease, raise awareness about the prevention of kidney disease and promote the culture of organ donation.
Cavalier Leo Udina, secretary of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Committee of the ANED Onlus from 2011 to 2023, dedicated his life to the cause of kidney patients, promoting policies to strengthen renal transplantation and raising awareness among the population about donation and transplantation. Udina has participated in numerous initiatives, conferences and educational programs, sharing his experience as a transplant recipient and significantly contributing to the dissemination of problems related to kidney diseases.
The multimedia teaching room, named after Leo Udina, represents a symbol of the strong partnership between Nephrology and patient associations, and will be a place dedicated to sharing, updating and improving care for people suffering from kidney diseases.
With this initiative, ASUGI reaffirms its commitment to supporting and improving the quality of life of kidney patients, while honoring the memory of a man who made the fight for patients’ rights his mission.
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