Expert says rural folk suffering from kidney illness

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, June 16, 2015:  According to recent research, kidney failure among villagers is on the rise due to pesticides, up from 4 per cent to 15 per cent in recent years. Around one lakh new kidney patients are being added in the country every year.  This was the  statement of  Kovai Medical Centre and Hospital (Coimbatore) Nephrology HoD Dr Vivek Pathak, known for steroid-free successful kidney transplants. 

Around 80,000 patients cannot afford the treatment cost. Only 10 to 15,000 patients attend hospitals. In only 3%  to 4%  patients, kidney failure may be a genetic disease, he said. Pathak was speaking during an interaction session organised by Mangalore Nephro- Urology Charitable Trust and Kanachur Hospital and Research Centre.

In case of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) or permanent kidney damage, kidney transplant or  dialysis are the only choices. Though transplant is costly, it provides better quality of life than dialysis. People who donate kidneys should not be overweight, diabetic and should not have high blood pressure, he said.

The surgeon said that awareness should be created about Cadaver transplant in India as around 50 per cent of world road accidents take place in India. In cadaver transplant, after convincing the family of the victim, kidney of the dead or brain dead are used to transplant to compatible the needy.

DK DC Adoor B Ibrahim said that people should adopt a healthy lifestyle and food habits. One should be aware that regular health check-up is required for good health.Doctors should have high morals and never compromise on right and justice. Public, who protest against the lapses in government services should raise their voice against the injustice of private firms as well. To provide solution to the problems of kidney patients, a proposal would be submitted to the government to add it under Vajpayee Arogyashree scheme, he said.

One Kidney patient present demanded the government to reduce the price of kidney related medication.  A patient has to spend around Rs 12,000 for dialysis every month. The annual expense for a patient is nearly Rs 1.44 lakh and earning by work is impossible for these.

No particular symptoms are visible until advanced, hence in 90 per cent of cases, kidneys are damaged beyond all help  when patients seek medical help.  Donors  should come forward and a good system of suppert has to be developed. Kanachur Hospital and Research Centre Dean Dr Kaza Nazeerududdin Sab, St Ann’s Group of Institutions Chairman Eric C Lobo, social activist Umar U H were present among others.