Uddanam kidney patients await second phase tests

Srikakulam: Kidney patients in Uddanam area are awaiting for second phase medical tests. Fifteen special mobile medical teams (SMMT) conducted medical tests for all the 1,01,593 persons in 176 villages in eight mandals, of which seven situated in Uddanam area and one in agency area, from January 19 to April 15 this year. Of the total 1,01,593 persons, males are 36,071 and female are 65,522. Of the total tested persons, 13,093 have been identified as kidney patients of which 7,049 are male and 6,044 are female.

Of the total 13,093 identified kidney patients, 614 are below 30 years of age and 12,479 are above 30 years age group. In all the eight mandals, highest number 4,990 patients have been identified in Kaviti mandal and patients are spread in 51 villages in the same mandal. All the 13,093 identified patients need second phase medical tests.

The patients are required to undergo 27 types of medical tests in second phase at Palasa and Sompeta government community health centres (CHCs) and finally they need further medical treatment and, based on severity, some of them would be referred to dialysis.

Due to lack of availability of medical facilities and expert doctors, second phase medical tests were stopped and patients are awaiting their resumption. “We are planning to conduct second phase medical tests for 13,093 kidney patient from the first week of June at Palasa and Sompeta CHCs,” district medical and health officer (DMHO) Dr Sanapala Tirupathi Rao told The Hans India.

District coordinator for health services (DCHS) Dr Boddepalli Surya Rao, admitted that physicians were not available at Palasa and Sompeta CHCs. “We have sent a report to the government on requirement of physicians and after their appointment, second phase tests will be conducted,” he added.