Friday, 23 March 2012

March 20 2012 Clippings


2 lakh patients vie for 2,500 kidney donors

To commemorate World Kidney Day on Thursday, Manipal Hospitals launched a campaign called ‘Donate-Kidneys for Life-Receive’. The campaign, focusing on the positive outcome of kidney transplantation, was inaugurated by Kannada film director Girish Kasarvalli and Nimhans director Dr P Satish Chandra.

Speaking on the occasion, Girish Kasarvalli said: “Donating organs is a life-giving initiative. We need to proactively educate the masses on the benefits of organ donation. One donor can possibly give the gift of life to a terminally ill patient who would not survive otherwise.”
Dr H Sudarshan Ballal, medical director, Manipal Health Enterprises, said: “Every year, about 2 lakh people are diagnosed with kidney failure. It is unfortunate that only about 2,500 kidney transplants are done annually due to non-availability of organs. With a population of over 1 billion, India lags in implementing a cadaver donation programme (organ transplant from a brain dead donor). Despite the passing of the Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994, there has been little empathy towards donating organs.”

St. John’s Medical College Hospital organised a patients and caregivers’ meet at its premises to discuss growing incidences of kidney ailments.

More than 100 patients and caregivers attended the
programme which was conceptualised by Dr Gokulnath, professor and head of the department of nephrology at the hospital.

Dr Gokulnath said: “We should screen those at risk of getting chronic kidney diseases regularly. Early detection can affect what treatment options patients can receive and how long patients can preserve kidney function.” The department also made arrangements to screen 500 people free for diabetes at the hospital’s OPD.

In August, the hospital had organised a residential training workshop for certified nurses on peritoneal dialysis and patient management.

At the event, St John’s Hospital also honoured the families of deceased donors from the hospital; 80 voluntary donors were invited for free medical checkup and counselling.

To commemorate the World Kidney Day, donor cards were also given to those who were willing to donate their organs after death.


20.03.2012











Life without a mission has no purpose. Life without a purpose is worthless

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