Call for early detection of kidney diseases

Visakhapatnam, Mar 6 (UNI) Diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular, and kidney diseases have assumed alarming proportions in the country and a proper screening mechanism to check them in the early stages should be given the highest importance, Nephrologist Ajay K Singh of Harvard Medical School said here.

The US-based Dr Singh, who is actively involved in screening and treatment of kidney diseases in India, yesterday was speaking after inaugurating the programme on 'Screening and Early Evaluation of Kidney Disease (SEEK),' held as a prelude to World Kidney Day to be observed on March nine.

He said 30 per cent of the diabetics in India faced the risk of kidney diseases calling for widespread screening programmes and more SEEK centres.

Further, as 90 per cent of the Indian population could not afford treatment for kidney diseases it was advisable to take precautionary measures and initial medication which were relatively less costlier.

According to a study, one per cent of the country's population suffered from kidney diseases. But the figure could be more as screening facilities were inadequate and people not properly educated on nephrological problems.

Professor and HOD of Nephrology, Andhra Medical College, Dr T Ravi Raju said the severity of kidney diseases was being realised by medical institutions all over the world rather late. He urged professionals concerned to 'act now and act decisively' by utilising the opportunity of the CME.

Chief of Eastern Naval Command Vice Admiral Sureesh Mehta said kidney related diseases had now turned into a global epidemic and the sharp rise was mainly due to changing lifestyle in urban areas.

''Chronic kidney disease is a prolonged torture for families, draining them financially and mentally,'' he said.

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