Renal problems on the rise among villagers, says doctor

Kovai Medical Centre and Hospital (Coimbatore) Nephrology HoD Dr Vivek Pathak, known for steroid-free successful kidney transplantations, said that kidney failure cases were increasing among villagers because of the use of pesticides.

According to a research, kidney failure cases among villagers have increased from four per cent to 15 per cent in recent years. Around one lakh new kidney patients are being added in the country every year.

Among them, around 80,000 patients cannot afford the treatment cost. Only 10 to 15,000 patients meet doctors. Among three to four per cent of 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 monthly dialysis are the only choices. Though transplant is more costly, it has more 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 road accidents of globe happen in India. In cadaver transplant, after convincing the family of the victim, kidney of the dead or brain dead would be used to transplant to the needy, he said.

Care about lifestyle, food
Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim said that people should not neglect their lifestyle and food system. Everyone should have a concept called regular health check-up. Even the doctors should have morality and never let down humanity. 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.

Kidney patient S Prasad demanded the government to reduce the price of kidney problem medicines. A patient have to spend around Rs 12,000 for two dialysis every month. The annual expense for a patient is nearly Rs 1.44 lakh and he can’t work like others.

As it has no particular symptom, in as many as 90 per cent of cases, kidneys are dead when patients meet the doctors. Donors should come forward to help patients, he said.
Earlier, DC A B Ibrahim along with kidney patients S Prasad and Mallikarjun inaugurated the newly formed Kidney Patients Association. Mangalore Nephro- Urology Charitable Trust Chairman Dr Mohammed Saleem said that with the association, patients can help themselves.

It is also works as an information centre. The patients should act like ambassadors of the CKD and convene message to next generation, he said. One can become member of the association by paying just Rs 10 and life member by paying Rs 1,000.

One can become patrons by paying Rs 10,000 to the association, he said.

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.