Kolkata: To commemorate World Kidney Day this year, Manipal Hospitals, Kolkata, the leading private hospital chain in Eastern India, organized awareness sessions across its different units to emphasize the importance of early detection and preventive care in maintaining kidney health.
Aligning with this year’s theme “Are Your Kidneys OK? Detect Early, Protect Kidney Health”, the event at Manipal Hospital, Dhakuria featured expert talks by Dr Arghya Majumder – Consultant and HOD, Nephrology, Dr Ritesh Kauntia – Consultant, Nephrology, Dr Uttayan Chakraborty – Associate Consultant, Nephrology, Dr Bastab Ghosh – Consultant, Uro Surgeon, Dr Bimalesh Purkait – Consultant, Urology who addressed key issues related to kidney diseases, their risk factors, and advancements in treatment.
At Manipal Hospital, Mukundapur, the awareness campaign started in the morning with Dr. Rajiv Sinha, Paediatric Nephrologist, Manipal Hospital, Mukundapur engaging with children and their parents about the importance of kidney care. Later in the afternoon, Dr. Prasanna Kumar Mishra, Senior Consultant – Urology & Transplant Surgeon, Manipal Hospital Mukundapur, shared insights on kidney health, common kidney-related issues like kidney stones, and the latest advancements in treatment. Emphasizing the importance of proactive kidney care, he engaged in an interactive discussion with adult kidney patients and their families.The session took place in the presence of Dr. Bappaditya Mukhopadhyay, Chief Manager- Medical Services, Manipal Hospital Mukundapur.
At Dhakuria Unit, during the programme, Dr. Arghya Majumder, Consultant and HOD, Nephrology, emphasized the significance of early screening and stated, “chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a silent epidemic, affecting nearly 10% of the global population. In India, an estimated 7.8 million people suffer from CKD. By the time symptoms of swelling, fatigue, and changes in urination appear, the kidney is already damaged, making the treatment severely complicated and challenging. When confronting progressive kidney disease, there reaches a critical juncture where intervention becomes imperative. There are two forms of renal replacement therapy, dialysis or transplantation. Routine screening, especially for high-risk groups like diabetics and hypertensives, is essential for timely intervention and prevention of inexorable progression of kidney disease to dialysis.
While dialysis serves as a vital support for many, kidney transplantation often promises a superior quality of life and enhanced autonomy. A successful transplant holds the potential to prolong life expectancy and reintroduce a semblance of normalcy akin to pre-kidney disease days.” Adult patient
At the same programme, Dr. Bastab Ghosh, Consultant, Urology, said “Kidney stones and other urological disorders are on the rise due to poor dietary habits and dehydration. Simple changes like maintaining adequate water intake, reducing salt consumption, and staying physically active can significantly lower the risk of kidney-related ailments. Notably, minimally invasive procedures like laser treatment, ureteroscopy can be immensely helpful for patients with kidney failure.”
In the session at Mukundapur Unit, Dr. Prasanna Kumar Mishra, Senior Consultant, Urology & Transplant Surgeon, said, “Maintaining proper hydration, following a balanced diet, and limiting salt intake are key preventive measures against kidney diseases. However, early diagnosis, regular monitoring, and timely intervention are crucial in preserving kidney health and preventing long-term complications. With advancements in medical technology, minimally invasive and endoscopic surgeries now enable faster recovery and better outcomes for patients. Most importantly, we strongly recommend prioritizing lifestyle modifications to maintain healthy blood sugar levels, as this plays a vital role in ensuring optimal kidney function.”
The events and interactive session throughout the day aimed to guide people through clinically relevant subjects, spanning from identifying symptoms of kidney issues to the intricacies of effectively managing them for overall wellbeing.
