2.2 lakh new patients develop chronic kidney failure every year in India: Dr Raka Kaushal

Chandigarh, August 12, 2024: To create awareness on World Organ Donation Day a team of doctors from Livasa Hospital Mohali (previously Ivy Hospital), addressed the media today. Present on the occasion were Dr Avinash Srivastava, Senior Director Urology & Renal Transplant & Dr Raka Kaushal, Senior Director Nephrology from Livasa Hospital Mohali.        

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Avinash Srivastava said every 10 minutes one person is added to the organ transplant waiting list and 20 people die every day for an Organ in India. More than 3 Lac patients are waiting for Organ Donation, but less than 10 % of the patients waiting for organ donation get it on time. According to a recent survey only one Donor is available per million population. Therefore, there is an immense need to raise awareness for Organ Donation in India. World Organ Donation Day is an Important Global event that commemorates the First ever Living Donor Transplant in1954 in the USA.

Speaking on this occasion Dr Raka Kaushal said that “2.2 lakh new patients develop Chronic Kidney Failure in our country every year and it is also the 6th fastest growing cause of death, which may change to become the 5th leading cause by 2040. High Blood Pressure, Diabetes, BPH, untreated Kidney stones and UTI are the main reasons of Kidney failure in India. She also said that Livasa Hospital, which is Now Punjab’s Biggest Super speciality Network, with 05 Hospitals, 750 Beds, 280 ICU beds has completed 1200 Successful Kidney Transplants in Punjab. Dr Raka also shared that at Ivy Hospital we are doing all types of Living Donor Transplants, which include High Risk Transplants, Paediatric Transplants Swap cases, ABO incompatible Transplants (Non Blood group specific) & Redo Transplants. Patients from far off places like Dehradun, Jammu, Lucknow, Kanpur, Bihar, Jharkhand, Canada, UK, Australia have also undergone Kidney Transplant at Livasa Hospital.

On this occasion a Poster Competition was Organized for School Students to Create awareness about Organ Donation. Livasa hospital also Facilitated all Organs Donors who had donated their kidneys to save Lives of their near ones / Family members.

Sharing her views on this occasion Dr Gaganeen Kaur Sandhu, Nodal Officer cum Joint Director of SOTTO Punjab said “Nationally, with a population of 1.4 billion people, the statistic stands at 0.08 persons as organ donors per million population (PMP). This is an incredibly small and insignificant number compared to the statistics around the world. Although India remains 3rd in World in Organ donation after USA & China, but only 0.01 percent of People in India donate organs after death.  Kidneys are the most Frequently needed organ followed by Liver.  85 % of people waiting for Organ Donation need a Kidney and Kidney is the most commonly donated Organ in India. By donating organs , a deceased donor person can save the lives of up to 8 individuals by way of organ donation and enhance the lives of over 50 people by way of tissue donation.

On this occasion, Dr Raka said that “We have a State of the Art 20 Bedded Dialysis centre in our Hospital and we offer 24 x 7 Dialysis services, including Intervention Nephrology services like Permacath, AV Fistula, Renal Biopsies and Centre Lines. He also shared that Ivy Hospital Mohali is Empanelled with ECHS, CGHS, ESI , CAPF and all major TPA & corporates. 

Importance of Organ Donation
Ø  Saving the lives of many members, as one cadaver donation can provide life support to 8 members suffering from end-stage organ damage
Ø  Improving the patient's and their family's quality of life
Ø  Reducing the overall healthcare cost compared to long-term medical treatments for organ failure
Ø  Addressing the shortage of organ availability, thereby decreasing waiting times for patients who are in need of it
Tips to prevent kidney disease:
Ø  Manage diabetes, high blood pressure
Ø  Reduce the intake of salt
Ø  Drink 8- 10 glass of water every day
Ø  Don’t resist the urge to urinate
Ø  Eat balanced Diet including lots of Fruits
Ø  Drink healthy beverages
Ø  Avoid alcohol and smoking
Ø  Exercise daily
Ø  Avoid self-medication, especially painkillers
Ø  Think before you take Protein supplements and herbal medicine without discussing with your doctor