A day after International Women’s Day comes World Kidney Day on March 9. However, few know about it. Fewer still are aware that of the 388 kidney transplants across India in 2022, 159 or 41% were retrieved from donors in Gujarat.
This also makes it the year of the highest rates in Gujarat. To put the figure in perspective, from 2012 to 2015 the percentage of kidney transplants from cadavers stayed between 8% and 19%. At a function held in Ahmedabad, Thursday, to mark the day as much as spread awareness about kidney diseases, city-based nephrologist Dr Vivek Kute shared: “The percentage of transplants from cadavers was the highest recorded in Gujarat. The need of the hour is to improve awareness on kidney diseases and transplantation. Kidney and liver are the only two organs which can also be retrieved from a living donor. A rise in cadaver donations will reduce the huge gap between demand and supply.” Dr Kute is also secretary, Indian Society of Organ Transplantation (ISOT).
Sharing his thoughts on the occasion, eminent nephrologist Dr Prakash Darji added that availability of ventilators due to the Covid-19 pandemic has improved cadaver donation and eventual availability of kidneys. “One needs ventilators to ensure that a brain-dead person’s organs remain functioning. The pattern of kidney disease has remained the same, but awareness about causes has improved,” he said.
Informing about restoration of pre-pandemic level transplants at Muljibhai Patel Urological Hospital in Nadiad, Dr Ajay Gangoli shared: “There has been a transplant volume increase but we don’t have adequate data to ascertain if kidney failure has also increased. While we are considered the kidney stone capital of the world, a positive trend we are witnessing is patients approaching the hospitals at early stages – indicating a greater understanding of symptoms and the need for intervention.”
Also Read: Fire Tender At A Price In Ghuma-Bopal? Residents Dismayed At Official Apathy
