More research can solve chronic kidney disease woes

​Visakhapatnam: Eminent doctors and scientists have come forward to share their knowledge and expertise in setting up a world-class nephrology research institute in Uddanam of Srikakulam district, to identify the root cause of the chronic kidney disease and to find holistic medical solutions.

The professors of Nephrology department and scientists of various department related to the issue opined that CKD is not only the problem of Uddanam as people in several countries are also suffering with it. The medical fraternity opined that in-depth research should immediately be taken up and experts should exchange their knowledge to find out a solution to the global issue.

With the initiation of president of Jana Sena Party and cine hero Pawan Kalyan, the IT wing of the party organised a symposium on Uddanam Chronic Kidney Disease in the city on Sunday.

Chief of Nephrology Department, Harvard Medical School, Boston, US Joseph V Bonventre and Research Faculty in Renal Division and Co-Director of Biomakers Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, USA Venkata Sabbisetti, Vice Chancellor, NTR Health University AP T Ravi Raju, Principal Andhra Medical College PV Sudhakar, Superintendent, KGH L Arjun and senior doctors including Durga Rao, Krishna Murty, Dakshina Murthy, Chandra Sankuratri and Krishna Murthy and Head of the Department of Zoology, Andhra University DE Babu were present in the symposium.

Joseph V Bonventre and Venkata S Sabbisetti opined that it was high time to take up research study on several topics including Aristolochia plant impact, metals in the waters, toxins from medication, stress and heat at the work spot and even usage of pain killer medicines.

In Uddanam the male and female CKD patient ratio is 5:1. The continuous fevers and infections in the urinary track are also symptoms, they added.

Vice Chancellor, NTR University of Health Sciences T Ravi Raju explained that about the government's initiations and services to the patients. Till 1985, there was no awareness and treatment for the CKD in the region.

However, from 1990 onwards, the government has brought all the available medical services and started dialysis centres in the medical sub-centres also. In other parts in the country, there were five percent of CKD patients out of the total local population, but in Uddanam it was 15 percent, Ravi Raju said.

Andhra University Professor DE Babu said that, that the university has already conducted a research study on the issue. He opined that following the flash floods in 1985/86 from the neighbouring states Odisha and Madhya Pradesh, huge quantum of metals including laterite and bauxite were submerged in the region.

Due to the lack of the surface water, the people of Uddanam were mostly using ground-water with the help of the bore-wells causing the CKD. He also said that the sea water pollution was also suspected in the study.