In order to raise awareness of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and organ donation, M.V. Hospital for Diabetes and MOHAN Foundation have joined hands to launch an organ protection and donation initiative in Chennai.
As part of the initiative, the two organisations will set up a booth at Chennai Central, and also visit various hospitals, IT companies and public places, to spread the message of organ donation and taking care of one’s body, so the need for organ transplantation is eliminated, said Vijay Viswanathan, head of M.V. Hospital for Diabetes.
One of the biggest factors contributing to kidney failure and CKD is diabetes. Patients who are able to control their blood sugar levels, however, have a better chance of preventing CKD and leading a better life.
Speaking of transplantation, Sunil Shroff, head of MOHAN Foundation, said, close to 70 per cent of all patients affected with CKD have either hypertension or diabetes, and 45 per cent of all kidney failures are caused by diabetes.
Every year, around 2,10,000 persons require kidney transplantation.
Of these, over 1,00,000 are diabetic. By controlling diabetes, it is possible to delay the onset of CKD in almost half of the patients.
Since there is a huge gap between the number of organs required and the number of organs donated, it is critical to increase donations and protect internal organs, said Dr. Shroff.
