Honoring Kidney Warriors at Medanta Hospital, Benefits of Transplant Highlighted

Indore, March 13, 2024: Due to irregular and contaminated diet, excessive consumption of pain relievers, and increasing sedentary lifestyle-related diseases, the number of kidney diseases is rapidly increasing. What’s also concerning is the lack of awareness; only two percent of people are aware that they have kidney disease. Every year, World Kidney Day is celebrated on the second Thursday of March worldwide to spread awareness about ways to keep kidneys healthy, related diseases, and prevention. This year, the theme of World Kidney Day celebrated on March 14th is “Kidney Health for All”, aiming to increase awareness about kidneys and ensure access to all kidney treatments.

Medanta Super Specialty Hospital organized a program on the occasion of World Kidney Day to raise awareness about kidney diseases. In this program, kidney patients and donors who were successfully treated and transplanted at Medanta Hospital were also invited, and they are now living healthy lives. The program provided information about symptoms, prevention, and treatment of kidney diseases and honored these “warriors”. Additionally, information was provided about adopting a healthy lifestyle for kidney patients. Patients who participated in the program also shared their experiences of how they successfully overcame kidney disease with the help of doctors at Medanta Hospital.

Consultant Nephrologist and Kidney Transplant at Medanta Super Specialty Hospital, Dr. Jay Singh Arora, said, “The kidney is the only organ in the body for which replacement is readily available. Unlike other organs such as the heart, liver, artificial machines are not readily available. Due to negligence, patients come to the hospital at a stage where dialysis or transplant is the only option. It is important to know that the kidney is an organ that cannot regenerate itself. Once its cells or nephrons are damaged, regeneration is not possible. If they survive even 15 to 30 percent, life can be lived without any pain with the support of medications. They do not need dialysis. Today’s event not only honored kidney-transplanted patients but also raised awareness about kidney transplants among the public. It is crucial to spread awareness about kidney transplants because in India, due to the lack of organ transplants every year, two and a half lakh deaths occur. About a lakh people are waiting for liver transplants, about two lakh people need kidneys, and fifty thousand people wait for heart transplants every year. Therefore, it is essential to raise awareness about kidney transplants so that the lives of millions can be saved.”

Dr. Arora further added, “To prevent oneself from kidney diseases, some important things can be kept in mind, such as drinking enough water throughout the day. This helps the kidney to eliminate toxins from the body. Avoid excessive intake of protein supplements, as taking more than necessary can have a negative impact on the kidneys. Taking painkillers every other day can also have a negative effect on the kidneys, so avoid them. Smoking also has adverse effects on the kidneys, so quit smoking, control sugar and BP, and adopt a healthy lifestyle. The level of creatinine is more than 1.2 in women and more than 1.4 in men, which is dangerous. Contact a doctor immediately if you experience pain in the kidneys.”