World Kidney Day inaugurated at Manipal Hospital

* Two days in a month dedicated for free kidney function check-up for the whole year
* Exhibition on Kidney Disease awareness inaugurated

Bangalore, March 9th 2006: World Kidney Day is being observed for the first time across the world on March 9th 2006. Early Detection and Prevention is the theme for the inaugural World Kidney Day, which was inaugurated at Manipal Hospital in Bangalore today.

The program includes an exhibition to increase awareness of chronic kidney disease and its associated cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and to draw attention to the urgent global need for early detection and prevention of chronic kidney disease.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. H. Sudarshan Ballal, Director – Manipal Institute of Nephrology and Urology emphasized on the prevalence of kidney disease, which is growing in leaps and bounds.  “The common causes of these are diabetes, high blood pressure, nephritis, kidney infection, kidney stones and genetic diseases” he said.

Kidney disease may be very silent and many a time may not be detected in the early stages. When the detection is late, very little can be done other than dialysis or transplantation. Dr. Ballal stressed upon the importance of early detection and treatment of kidney disease to prevent end stage renal disease.

Early detection can be accomplished through systematic testing for serum creatinine or urine albumin; the simple blood test shows functional status of the kidney, which is indicated by a Kidney Number. “These tests are very accurate in detecting early kidney disease and can be done in any standard laboratory”, said Dr. Ballal. Kidney disease is a major risk factor for heart disease and detecting early kidney disease will also be helpful in preventing and managing heart disease.

Mr. R. Basil, Director and CEO, Manipal Health Systems declared two days in a month for the entire year to offer free kidney check-up at Manipal Hospital and other associated hospitals on the occasion of World Kidney Day. “We as a hospital understand the social responsibilities and Manipal being the hospital with maximum number of beds in Bangalore city are active partners in spreading the message of prevention and early detection of Kidney Diseases” he said.

“World Kidney Day is yet another programme embarked by Manipal Hospital in its endeavor to educate the community on growing health issues and its impact on society. Increasing numbers of patients with kidney disease indicate the pandemic proportions that this illness has reached”, said Dr. Nagendra Swamy, Director – Medical Services, Manipal Hospital.

Each year World kidney Day will be held on the second Thursday of March, beginning with Thursday March 9, 2006.

Issued by:                                                             For further information, contact:
D.K. Venktesh                                                        Dr. H. Sudarshan Ballal
Manager – Communications                                   Director - MINU
Phone: 98454 50336                                             Phone: 2502 3406 / 2502 3265