The number of kidney patients in Samoa increased 12-fold in the past seven years since the National Kidney Foundation was established.
The Ministry of Health recorded 72 kidney patients in the 2010 to 2011 period, compared with six in 2005.
The Health Minister Tuitama Talalelei told Parliament the figures include holiday patients and one-off patients in need of temporary dialysis.
Medical doctor and MP for Vaisigano Number 2, Motuopua'a Aisoli, asked the Minister what the Ministry is doing to combat diseases like diabetes.
Mr Talalelei says they are fighting non-communicable diseases like kidney disease through community-based prevention measures such as grants for establishing vegetable gardens and physical exercise promotion.
