The Hindu Business Line : Increase in kidney failures `alarming'

Worried over alarming raise in deaths due to kidney problems and lack of awareness on related issues, nephrologists have decided to take up a nationwide campaign.

The National Kidney Foundation of India (NKFI) has decided to rev up the association's activity by involving all its 15 units for the campaign.

Joining NKFI in this task are International Federation of Kidney Foundations (IFKF) and the International Society of Nephrology. Giving a fillip to this initiative, these associations have decided to observe March 9 as World Kidney Day from this year onwards.

Awareness drives

Marking the Day, the NKFI members organised awareness campaigns and screening camps across various hospitals in the country.

"While incidence of communicable diseases are growing by just 3 per cent, incidence of non-communicable diseases like kidney failures and cardio-vascular problems is increasing by an alarming 17 per cent," Dr Ravi Raju, Chief Nephrologist of Apollo Hospital (Visakhapatnam), told Business Line.

Over the next 20 years it was expected there would be about 25 million people suffering from kidney failures in the country. High prevalence of diabetes was expected to worsen the situation as experts found that diabetes was one of the major reasons for kidney failures.

NKFI census

Realising the fact that there were no proper estimates on the spread of kidney problems, the NKFI had begun a census. "We have 15 units across the country. We have started recording the numbers," Dr Ravi Raju said.

The association has an understanding with the Harvard Medical School. "They will help analyse the data," he said.

The census was expected to be completed in a year.

"Diabetes can approximately affect the kidney in 5 to 10 years. If diabetes goes undetected and uncontrolled the likelihood of getting kidney involvement is high. About 40 per cent of diabetics may eventually develop kidney disease," said Dr Vidya Acharya, a leading nephrologist and Honorary Secretary, NKFI.

More Stories on : Health | Andhra Pradesh

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page