STAR HOSPITALS HOSTS EVENT TO PROMOTE KIDNEY HEALTH ON WORLD KIDNEY DAY

08^th March, 2023, Hyderabad: Star Hospitals has organized an exclusive event on the occasion of World Kidney Day, with the aim of raising awareness about the growing concern of Chronic Kidney Diseases in the society. The event was led by the Senior Consultant Nephrologists & Transplant Physicians at Star Hospitals, Dr. Gandhe Sridhar, Dr. Jyothsna Guttikonda, Dr. Jella Ramashankar & Dr. Y. Sandeep Reddy. This awareness program was intended to educate people about the importance of kidney health, early diagnosis, and prevention of the disease. 

Star Hospitals also announced an exclusive CKD Preventive Check-up @ just Rs 999, which includes Complete Blood Picture, Complete Urine Examination, GFR, and Ultrasound (Whole Abdomen). The package is aimed at encouraging people to prioritize their kidney health and take preventive measures to avoid kidney-related ailments. 

During the event, Star Hospitals felicitated a few kidney donors for their selfless act of donating their organs and inspiring others to follow their footsteps. The hospital authorities appreciated their contribution to society and encouraged more people to come forward and donate their organs to save lives. 

Dr. Gandhe Sridhar, Senior Consultant Nephrologist & Transplant Physician, Star Hospitals, said, “On this special day, not only are we celebrating World Kidney Day but also International Women's Day, and I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to the women who make up the majority of kidney donors. It is a fact that 90% of kidney donors are women, and they are playing an instrumental role in saving lives. This noble act of donating a kidney not only helps the recipient but also gives a new lease of life to their family and loved ones. Kidney donation is a life-saving act that has the power to

transform someone's life, and we must all acknowledge and appreciate the contributions of donors.” 

Dr. Jyothsna Guttikonda, Senior Consultant Nephrologist & Transplant Physician, Star Hospitals, said, “Kidney disease is often referred to as a silent killer because it can progress slowly over a long period without any symptoms. Many people are not aware of the early warning signs and do not seek medical attention until the condition gets worse. By the time they seek medical help, almost 70% of the kidney functioning is lost, making it difficult to manage and treat the condition. World Kidney Day is celebrated every year to raise awareness about kidney health and the importance of early detection and treatment of kidney diseases. The day is observed globally with the aim to reduce the burden of kidney diseases and improve kidney health worldwide.” 

Dr. Jella Ramashankar, Senior Consultant Nephrologist & Transplant Physician, Star Hospitals, said, “One of the most important tests to determine kidney functioning is the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) test. The eGFR test measures how well the kidneys are filtering waste products from the blood. A normal eGFR range is between 70 to 100. If the eGFR is between 15 to 70, the person can manage the condition with medications and lifestyle changes. However, if the eGFR is below 15, the person needs to undergo dialysis or transplantation to manage the condition. People with diabetes, hypertension, kidney stones, a family history of kidney diseases, or heart problems are at a higher risk of developing kidney disease and should undergo an eGFR test frequently.” 

Dr. Y. Sandeep Reddy, Senior Consultant Nephrologist & Transplant Physician, Star Hospitals, said, “World Kidney Day serves as a reminder to take care of our kidneys and get them checked regularly. It is essential to adopt a healthy lifestyle, eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. Early detection and timely treatment of kidney diseases can prevent complications and improve the quality of life.” 

Kidney Transplant is a boon to save a person from the clutches of death! There is no other option but dialysis or kidney transplant when the kidneys are completely exhausted. Currently, only 5% of those who are suffering from kidney failure are able to get transplantation. The main reason for this is the lack of donors. However, even if the donors are found, the blood group does not always match. Sometimes family members Blood groups can also be different. It is estimated that about 2.20 lakh people require kidney transplant or dialysis every year in our country & only 7,000 to 8,000 of them are able to get kidney transplant. All the others are undergoing dialysis and waiting for the organs of the deceased. This is where the process of ABO Kidney Transplantation comes in handy. Its specialty is that it enables safe kidney transplantation even if the blood group is not compatible. So its importance is increasing day by day. 

Currently, 40% of kidney transplants in Japan are performed with ABO procedure. According to the Japanese Religious beliefs, the organs of deceased persons cannot be transplanted. Because the number of donors are very low, ABO incompatible transplantation is gaining importance. 

The event was a huge success, and it played a vital role in creating awareness about Chronic Kidney Diseases and the importance of organ donation. Star Hospitals remains committed to promoting kidney health and offering world-class healthcare services to its patients.