To commemorate World Kidney Day, an illustrated recipe book, comprising a number of easy-to-prepare traditional recipes aimed primarily for patients with kidney disease, was launched at the Renal Unit at Mater Dei Hospital on March 8.

The book includes a number of recipes by culinary enthusiast and kidney donor James Muscat and and dietician Mario Caruana.

Kidney disease affects around 600 million people world-wide – approximately one in 10 people.

The book was funded by Vivian Corporation on behalf of Shire, one of the official sponsors of World Kidney Day worldwide.

Present for the launch were director of the Health Promotion Unit, Charmaine Gauci, Nursing Officer Paul Calleja, consultant nephrologist Emanuel Farrugia and Dr Caruana.

The book is available from the Health Promotion Unit, the Renal Unit and the Dietician Services Unit at Mater Dei hospital, the Transplant Support Group and Vivian Corporation in Msida.