New campaign aims to reduce hypertension and avoid kidney failure

13 Sept 13:21 Key points summarised by AI

The Thai Hypertension Society launched the “CheCKD Now” campaign to address rising hypertension, the leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) affecting millions.
The campaign aims to educate the public about the critical link between hypertension and CKD, promoting regular microalbuminuria tests for early detection of kidney problems.
Experts emphasize that early detection and proper management of hypertension are vital, as untreated high blood pressure severely damages kidneys, leading to dialysis and high mortality rates.
The campaign dispels the misconception that hypertension medication harms kidneys, asserting that failing to manage blood pressure is the actual cause of kidney failure.
The Society advocates for making microalbuminuria tests a standard part of all regular health check-ups to enable earlier intervention, improve patient quality of life, and reduce reliance on dialysis.

Examining Thailand’s four-part education revolution

Today 14:22 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Education Ministry is implementing a four-pronged strategy to address its students' below-average performance in PISA 2025 and tackle significant educational inequality.
The plan prioritizes closing performance gaps by increasing funding for small and low-income schools, overhauling the curriculum to foster critical thinking, and adopting a data-driven management system to reduce teacher workload.
Key initiatives include enhancing school safety, combating cyberbullying, and expanding mental health support through peer-to-peer networks, recognizing the severe impact of distress on academic performance.
An education expert advises verifying if PISA improvements stem from structural changes, advocating for a revived STEM curriculum with practical 'learn by doing' methods, and urging bureaucratic reform to link teacher evaluations to student development.