Redaccion
La Gomera celebrated, this Saturday, a day focused on health care and improving the well-being of the population, within the framework of the ‘Mulagua Project: a Spanish cohort on renal health’ being carried out in Agulo and Hermigua. Thus, the El Curato Park in Hermigua was the chosen space to develop a wide range of children’s and music activities, as well as different talks and discussions led by healthcare professionals.
The vice president of the Cabildo, Adasat Reyes, emphasized that this is an innovative study that will make a difference not only in the Canary Islands but also at a national and European level. He also referred to this day as an opportunity to learn about the preliminary results of this research "that is progressing well," and encouraged the population to continue being part of this project "which represents an important contribution to science and will bring benefits to the health and well-being of the island of La Gomera and its citizens."
On the other hand, Esteban Porrini and Sergio Luis, principal investigators of the project, pointed out that this study aims to assess the renal health of patients in Agulo and Hermigua, identifying cases of renal insufficiency, as well as associated factors such as hypertension, cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, and other common diseases that can harm the kidney.
"The response from the population has been extraordinary, with over 200 subjects already participating in the study, which will be useful to understand the health of the people of La Gomera and to potentially extend the findings to the rest of the Canary Islands, Europe, and the world," stated Porrini. Luis also called for continued participation, "as while the preliminary results align with existing literature, we need to keep recruiting new participants, especially those under 50, to ensure a balanced representation of the population and make the results generalizable."
Hermigua’s mayor, Solveida Clemente, detailed that this event coincides with Health Month, marking the beginning of a series of activities that the local council has prepared to raise awareness about the importance of health care. "We start with this event, where different speakers will talk to us about the renal study, and over the coming weeks, we will have workshops on nutrition and healthy lifestyle. The idea is to promote habits that help us lead a healthier life because ultimately, this translates into living longer and with better quality of life," she added.
The day began with the inauguration and presentation of the event by authorities and the team responsible for the study, followed by various talks on chronic kidney disease, led by Dr. Patricia Patricia Delgado Mallén; its relationship with hypertension, discussed by Dr. Ana María González Rinne; and its connection to diabetes, presented by Dr. Rosa Miquel Rodríguez.
Dr. Sergio Luis Lima was in charge of presenting and explaining the preliminary results of the Mulagua Study to the attendees, followed by a talk by Raúl Morales Febles, who addressed the importance of exercise in 21st-century health.
Additionally, the professionals from the renal function laboratory involved in the study participated in the municipal radio ‘Mulagua Onda 7’, to present and explain the significance of the research, as well as to address any questions from the public.
‘Mulagua Project: a Spanish cohort on renal health’
The population-based study ‘Mulagua Project: a Spanish cohort on renal health’ already has the participation of a hundred patients from the municipalities of Agulo and Hermigua, allowing for the development of healthcare strategies for early prevention of the disease in what is the first study of this magnitude carried out in Spain and the second worldwide.
Residents of Agulo and Hermigua interested in participating can do so by calling 649.13.71.34 or emailing estudiomulagua@gmail.com. The study involves a simple blood test, surveys, and a reliable and painless renal function test.
This project is funded by the Carlos III Health Institute and the Cabildo de La Gomera, and has the collaboration of the City Councils of Agulo and Hermigua, the Management of Health Services of the La Gomera Health Area, the University of La Laguna, the General Foundation of the University of La Laguna, along with European funds (PERTE- PMP22/00119 – DOKY (Diabetes, Obesity &The Kidney-101079207-).
