Sixth World Kidney Day: 10th March, 2011 - Special WALK organised by MPUH Nadiad (India) on 6th March 2011

                                                           Sixth World Kidney Day: 10^th March, 2011

Nadiad, March 6^th, 2011: Kidney diseases are increasing very rapidly to epidemic proportions worldwide. In order to increase public awareness about kidney diseases, World Kidney Day (WKD) is observed on the second Thursday of March every year. This year, it falls on 10^th March. As a preparatory to this occasion,   Muljibhai Patel Urological Hospital’s (MPUH) Medical Social Worker & Transplant Co-ordinator, Dr. Sujata Rajapurkar organized a walkathon and kidney disease awareness lecture in Nadiad on Sunday, 6^th March 2011 with the motto “Protect your kidneys save your heart”. The focus of this program was to emphasize the public that addressing kidney disease early is one way of preventing any damage to kidneys & will have a positive impact on helping to reduce cardiovascular diseases as well.

Kidney diseases are silent killers, which will largely affect your quality of life. There are however several easy ways to reduce the risk of developing these kidney diseases:

• If you have diabetes and blood pressure, it should be in control or else it can lead to kidney failure.
• Protein in urine can also lead to kidney failure.
• Even through swelling on face & feet is cured, there is a risk of recurrence of kidney disease.
• Kidney stone and urine infection can damage kidneys.
• If blood is found in urine, there is a possibility of infection or cancerous tumour in kidney.
• Regular self medication of pain killers & usage of over the counter pills can damage kidneys.
• Chances of having cardiovascular diseases is more to kidney patients than any other normal person.
• Eat healthy and keep your weight in check.
• Do not smoke & chew tobacco.
• Keep fit and active for good quality of life.

More than 500 people from various walks of life, NCC cadets, School children particularly from St.Anne’s high school & Sharda Mandir, Chartered accountant’s association, Nadiad Medical Association, JC Rate Lioness club, patients & staff members of MPUH were well represented and actively participated in the walkathon.

The walkathon started at 8:00 am from MPUH as per pre-decided route. It reached to kidney circle then towards Woodland Restaurant to Paras Cinema to Santram Circle, passing through Bus stand. At railway station there was a brief halt for 10 minutes for refreshments. Walk continued towards Police Station, mamlatdar office, Sardar statue on the way back to Brahmakumari’s ground. The “walkers” enthusiasm was amazing, everybody was very fresh by the time they reached at Brahmakumari’s ground at 10:00 am. Dr. Sujata Rajapurkar in her welcome speech informed about the evolution of WKD, it’s the 6^th WKD in the year 2011, having important theme related to kidney diseases each year. This year’s focus is on 'Protect your kidneys save your heart' .                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Speaking on the occasion Dr Mohan Rajapurkar, Director Post-Graduate Studies & Research, MPUH said, “There are large number of patients having Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in the population. This is because kidney diseases do not produce any symptoms or pain till they are advanced. If detected early, Chronic Kidney Diseases can be treated – thereby reducing other complications and dramatically reducing the growing burden of deaths and disability from chronic renal and cardiovascular disease worldwide.”

Dr. Mahesh Desai,MS FRCS FRCS ,Medical Director & Managing Trustee of MPUH, elaborated Urological diseases like kidney stones & enlargement of prostate if treated timely give good quality of life preserving function of kidney.

Dr. Shishir Gang, Consultant Nephrologist Chairman, Department of Nephrology,MPUH, he elaborated on the types of kidney failure :  Acute & Chronic kidney failure. In case of acute kidney failure there is a good chance that patient recovers & has normal kidney function after treatment. Whereas once kidneys fail good quality of life is possible with three times a week dialysis or kidney transplantation. Many patients do not find compatible, medically suitable kidney donor within the family. With the advent of The Human Organ Transplantation Act, 1994 it is possible to transplant organs from brain-dead individuals. If a person meets with accident or due to any other cause if his brain is dead, he / she can donate organs to give gift of life to 5 to 6 patients. Dr. Gang emphasized that one should not hesitate to donate organs; today we have with us 3 families who have taken the difficult but compassionate decision of donating organs to save lives.

Guest of honor Advocate Smt. Raksha Mehta congratulated Dr. Sujata Rajapurkar for her dedication towards creating awareness about kidney disease & praised Dr. Mohan Rajapurkar & Dr. Mahesh Desai for their untiring efforts & dedication of developing MPUH a world class centre. She appealed to people at large to come forward for check - up & spread the message of protecting kidney function.

MPUH has done 15 cadaver donor transplantation all donor families initiative in giving gift of life was appreciated at this occasion. Three donor families were felicitated firstly Smt. Meenaben Umangbhai Kanojia from Vadodara, give gift of life in 2007. Secondly Shri Punambhai Purshottamdas Patel a resident of Nadiad who met with road side accident & became brain – dead. His family members too did the noble act of donating organs. Thirdly Smt. Ramilaben Chimanbhai Suthar resident of Khadli, her husband Shri Chimnabhai Suthar also gave his consent to organs donation on 09/05/10. These families received a “Silver Plaque” by the hands of Advocate Smt. Rakshaben Mehta, Shri Prafulbhai & Shri Dahyabhai of Brahmakumari Ashram.

Dr. Kalpesh Gohel, MD,DNB, Con. Nephrologist, MPUH proposed Vote of Thanks highlighting the support of pharma industries for helping the cause & social organizations of Nadiad for participating in the walkathon.

The program ended with National Anthem.