Dr. Zainab Wajih Leads Bathurst's Kidney Health Mission

But, for Dr Zainab Wajih, this organ is at the front line of her passion for health care. Then, just two years ago, she became officially qualified as a nephrologist, otherwise known as a kidney specialist. "I think I was inspired early on, because the head of medicine, whom I was working under at the time, happened to be a nephrologist, and a general medicine specialist," she said. Then, serendipitously, when she moved to Australia, one of her first medical rotations as a junior doctor just happened to be in nephrology. She found that in both Pakistan and Australia, the field of medicine included a more holistic approach to health care, something she found herself drawn to. "You can make a big difference that way, so I feel like that's what inspired me to be a nephrologist, and I feel I absolutely made the best decision," she said. "I just thought I would go where I was needed, and when I finished my training, an opportunity came across at the Bathurst Hospital, and I didn't have anything lined up, so I essentially thought I would give it a try," she said. "There was no other kidney specialist here, and I thought I could probably make a bigger difference in a smaller area like Bathurst, as opposed to somewhere like Sydney, which is very concentrated with specialists." She said making the move was another one of the best decisions she has made. "When we moved was literally the first time we came to Bathurst, so on the drive here I was like 'what have I done?'," she said. "But it's such a calming environment. I really enjoy my work, I enjoy talking to people, and I have learnt a lot from my patients as well, and I just enjoy that relationship. "And, I do get pretty good feedback, so I know that I'm making a difference." Another way Dr Wajih is making a difference, is by actively encouraging people to take notice of their kidney health. As the body's major filtration system, kidneys are responsible for cleaning waste and toxins from the blood, producing urine, controlling blood pressure, and making hormones that help form red blood cells and activate vitamin D for strong bones. "Essentially, one kidney is made up of tiny filters, and there is one million per kidney," Dr Wajih said. "We actually study the kidneys at a very, very microscopic level, and if you look at the nephrons, each portion of that does something different, and the chemistry is different at each level. "So we have to think about how the whole body impacts this one, tiny microscopic structure." Not only do other factors in the body impact these tiny structures, the structures can also have a detrimental impact on the rest of the body. Because kidney disease is often asymptomatic, Dr Wajih said she would recommend everyone, especially those with risk factors, to get checked by their doctor, with a blood pressure test, and a blood and urine test. These risk factors include diabetes, high blood pressure, family history, or being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island descent. As a preventive, however, Dr Wajih said she would encourage everybody to lead a healthy lifestyle, by eating healthy, not smoking or vaping, limiting alcohol consumption, and staying hydrated.