While you wait for artificial kidneys, it is better to take good care of what you have, advises Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, CMD of Biocon, while observing World Kidney Day in the city.
Be aware of the havoc kidney ailments can wreak in your life and early detection will make for successful medical intervention, was the message delivered by the bio-technology pioneer.
Statistics reveal that around 10% of the Indian population is blighted with kidney ailments. “Technological breakthroughs such as artificial kidneys would take more time,” cautioned Mazumdar-Shaw at a discussion organised by Manipal Hospital to commemorate World Kidney Day.
Diabetes is the chief villain behind kidney ailments. Almost one-third of the diabetic population is sitting duck for kidney troubles.
“In India, around 40 million people are battling various forms of diabetes. By 2025, this number would double. Only half of the diabetes ailments are diagnosed, and to make matters worse, only half of such cases get treatment. Hence, the only solution is raising awareness about kidney ailments,” she added.
Mazumdar-Shaw called for a change in the way research is handled in the country.
“We have enough number of scientists. But our mindset needs to be changed. Instead of waiting for the West to come up with breakthroughs, we should strive to add value to new findings. Along with clinical practices, let’s allocate time for clinical research. The government should set aside funds for research into diabetes and subsidise diabetes-related therapies,” she said.
Dr Sudarsan Ballal, medical director, Manipal Hospital, said despite observing World Kidney Day over the last four years, there is little awareness about the subject even among the medical fraternity as nephrology is a nascent field.
“Over 50% of the patients undergoing dialysis suffers from diabetes. Around 10 to 12% of the Indian population has some form of kidney problems. Almost 90% of chronic kidney patients succumb to the ailments,” Dr Ballal said. Among the living kidney donors, only 10% is men, he added.
On the occasion of World Kidney Day on Thursday, several functions were organised at medical establishments in the city. St John’s hospital organised a free camp to spread awareness.
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