New Delhi: Underlining the importance of kidney in the body, experts of Manipal, Super Specialty Hospital @Dwarka in Delhi have bemoaned the lazy approach in India towards this very crucial organ in the body. They said one does it to imperil one’s life once kidney goes bust unawares leading to money guzzling dialyses and an unending wait for kidney donor. They said by going through screening of mere 1000 rupees people can save their kidneys and coffers. They also advised once kidney reaches end stage, transplant is the best bet as it tremendously improves quality of life.
On the occasion of World Kidney Day ( March 12), experts of the hospital made it loud and clear that waiting for symptoms to surface proves elusive as they do not show up until more than 50% of damage already occurred in the organ. According to them, screening is key to avert the catastrophe – if you are in the high risk group meaning by you are diabetic or hypertensive, screening test is must every year whatever age you are and also if you are on the right side of 40, despite being healthy.
They said Kidney transplants improve the overall quality of life of those patients who suffered due to severe kidney ailments and were undergoing dialysis, At a Media Workshop in Press Club of India, experts emphasized that transplant improves the quality of life tremendously and due to great technological advancements in medical field today, transplants have become a reality for people across all age groups.
The media Workshop broadly aimed at creating mass awareness on organ donation, transplants and kidney ailments on the occasion of World Kidney Day. It also aimed at enhancing information and technical knowledge among media professionals about Kidney Health
In line with the theme this year for World Kidney Day, ‘Kidney Health for Everyone, Everywhere’, the hospital also unveiled “Wheel of success” – 8 golden rules for keeping kidneys healthy and fit. A kidney survivor was also felicitated for showing courage and willpower in fighting a severe and life threatening ailment.
Mr Raman Bhaskar, Hospital Director, Manipal Hospitals, Dwarka Dr.Saurabh Pokhariyal, HOD – Department of Nephrology and Renal Transplant Medicine, and Dr Sanjay Gogoi, Head, Urology, Manipal Hospitals spoke in the Workshop and stressed the need to be vigilant about kidney, given silent nature of its ailment.
In his opening remarks, Mr.Raman Bhaskar said, “Our Hospital is the harbinger of the path-breaking initiatives in kidney transplant. We provide quaternary and comprehensive kidney care and have the expertise in both adult and pediatric kidney transplants which not many healthcare providers offer. We can successfully deal with complex cases with the best in class doctors and international quality equipment’s in kidney transplant. We are encouraged to see an overwhelming response from the media fraternity. Media plays a critical role in creating mass awareness; hence, we planned to make them aware of high-end treatment and transplant for kidney ailments.”
Ms Neelam, 29-years old resident of Rewari, Haryana, who has undergone transplant, was presented as a case in point. She was diagnosed with end-stage renal disease or kidney failure. Neelam was on hemodialysis for last one year. The first challenge was getting a donor as her sister’s organ could not match due to some ailments and she had to be dependent on a cadaver donor. Finally, from NOTTO registry, she got a donor and successfully underwent cadaveric renal transplant at Manipal Hospitals, Dwarka.
“Our team of transplant experts carried out the high-end procedure successfully and she went home with normal renal function.’’ said Dr Pokhariyal.
Now, Neelam is leading a normal active life. “It was a very traumatic journey until I got a donor and doctors successfully performed this complex transplant. I was advised by a family friend to go for the treatment and transplant at Manipal Hospitals, Dwarka. Initially, I was very scared to undergo the procedure and but doctors here gave me new hope and I express sincere gratitude towards the Hospital and doctors who took utmost care of me,” said Neelam.
Dr. Gogoi recommended that people must watch out for early symptoms of kidney failure like reduced urine, excessive fatigue, persistent nausea, fluid retention that leads to swelling. It is always better to be careful as kidney disease often has no symptoms, and it can go undetected until at a very advanced stage.”
“Unfortunately, there is not much awareness with regards to organ transplants which is truly a boon for the people suffering from end-stage organ diseases. Furthermore, there is a lot of ignorance among people about organ transplant. Transplant improves the quality of life tremendously and due to great technological advancements in the medical field today, transplants have become a reality for people across all age groups,” the experts added.
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a non-communicable disease that affects 1 in 10 people worldwide. While its severity can vary, CKD is often progressive and needs lifelong medical care. Over 850 million people worldwide are now estimated to have kidney diseases from various causes. CKD causes at least 2.4 million deaths per year and is now the 6th most common cause of death. 9 out of 10 patients who have kidney disease don’t even know that they have it till they reach advanced stages of the disease. Between 2 to 7 million premature deaths happen for lack of access to dialysis and transplantation.
The experts also emphasized on creating awareness on organ donation which would go long way in saving lives of people who are suffering from severe kidney ailments.
