A new kidney dialysis centre with 12 machines was commissioned at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital on Thursday, marking World Kidney Day.
The new centre is to help treat the burgeoning number of patients with acute renal disease who require dialysis.
The centre, set up at a cost of Rs. 1 crore, received donations of equipment from the Accident and Death Care Cell and the southern chapter of the Indian Society of Nephrologists.
Earlier in the day, the TANKER Foundation organised a rally at Marina beach to raise awareness about kidney disease.
School and college students carried placards with health messages. TANKER later conducted an awareness programme at the Government Stanley Hospital.
Screening programmes for hypertension and diabetes were also held for employees in various hospitals, including dispensaries run by the Chennai Corporation.
Kidney diseases are a result of poorly-controlled hypertension and diabetes, doctors said.
Every year, the second Thursday of March is observed as World Kidney Day.
