Mangaluru Hospitals Advocate for Early Kidney Screening on World Kidney Day
In Mangaluru, city hospitals marked World Kidney Day by strongly urging residents to undergo early kidney screening. This initiative aims to enhance the diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management of kidney-related diseases, which often go undetected until advanced stages.
Expert Insights on Kidney Health
Addressing reporters on Thursday, Dr. Ashok Bhat, a senior consultant in nephrology at KMC Hospital, highlighted that the day serves as a crucial reminder to detect kidney disease early. He noted that symptoms frequently appear only in later stages, making proactive measures essential. Dr. Bhat advised maintaining a healthy lifestyle, controlling blood pressure and blood sugar levels, staying hydrated, and undergoing routine blood and urine tests to significantly reduce the risk of kidney issues. He emphasized that early preventive steps are vital for long-term kidney health and recommended consulting a nephrologist for personalized guidance.
Dr. Sushanth Kumar, another senior consultant in nephrology at KMC, clarified that not all kidney diseases lead to dialysis. He explained that dialysis typically begins in Stage 5 chronic kidney disease or when severe symptoms and complications emerge. According to Dr. Kumar, kidney transplantation is the superior treatment option for chronic kidney disease or kidney failure compared to dialysis. He reported that the hospital boasts a high transplant success rate, particularly with relative donors or deceased donors. On deceased organ donation, he mentioned the government-supported Jeeva Sarthakathe programme, while live donor transplants are managed by the hospital's authority committee under the Organ Transplantation Act.
Hospital Initiatives and Public Awareness
Indiana Hospital and Heart Institute also observed World Kidney Day under the theme ‘Kidney Health For All — Caring for people, protecting the planet'. During a press briefing, Dr. Pradeep KJ, a senior consultant nephrologist and kidney transplant specialist, and Dr. Anwitha Varmudy, a consultant nephrologist, called on the public to prioritize early screening and awareness to lessen the long-term burden of kidney disease.
They stressed that regular health checks, especially for diabetics and other high-risk groups, are key to detecting kidney problems early and preventing complications. The doctors noted that while dialysis can improve the quality of life for patients with kidney failure, it is not a cure and often requires lifelong treatment. In contrast, a kidney transplant can enable patients to lead a near-normal life. They recommended routine screening tests, such as serum creatinine, blood sugar, urine analysis, and abdominal ultrasound, for early detection of kidney damage and assessment of kidney function.
Labeling chronic kidney disease as a ‘silent killer', the doctors emphasized that it can often be prevented through a healthy diet and proper control of blood pressure and blood sugar levels, particularly among individuals with risk factors. To support this effort, Indiana Hospital announced it is offering kidney check-up and screening packages for two days starting from March 13, providing an accessible opportunity for early detection and intervention.
