Indian Society of Nephrology (ISN) and AstraZeneca India Join Hands

KOCHI:
This World Kidney Day, Indian Society of Nephrology (ISN), the largest professional organization of nephrologists in India dedicated to advancing kidney health worldwide and AstraZeneca, a science-led biopharmaceutical company, announced a multi-year partnership to create public awareness about kidney care and related health disorders, build education at primary care physician level on early diagnosis, prompt management and aid nationwide screening for at risk patients and general public to promote timely diagnosis and holistic management.​

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) today have become a major cause of global mortality and morbidity. In India, the most common cause of CKD is diabetic nephropathy. Studies estimate that the number of patients diagnosed with End Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) in India, who are either on dialysis or scheduled for transplantation is over 100,000 per year. It is also estimated that 9 out of 10 patients may not even know that they suffer from a kidney ailment.

Under this year’s theme of ‘Kidney Health For All’, ISN along with AstraZeneca aims to generate large scale awareness and educate people about ways to improve kidney health. As a part of this partnership, AstraZeneca under close guidance from ISN will facilitate ‘Project SEARCH’-a mass screening program for early diagnosis of CKD in diabetic or hypertensive patients who are at high risk of kidney damage. This campaign will include screening programs at over 2000 physician clinics over a period of one month in multiple locations across the country and is expected to reach out to 2.4 lac patients. The society has nominated top nephrologists of the country as regional coordinators to provide the requisite scientific support and mentorship to participating physicians across India.

ISN will also spearhead the analysis of the collected data that can be used to change the practice and influence policy makers. Dr TT Paul, President-Indian Society of Nephrology, South Zone Chapter and Senior Nephrologist at West Fort Hi-Tech Hospital, Thrissur said, “World kidney day is conducted every year to increase the awareness of the kidney diseases among the patients and the public. Till recently kidney diseases were not well known or well understood in the society. Even now many people have many misconceptions about the significance of taking care of kidneys. Therefore, this year’s motto, ‘Kidney health for all, Bridge the knowledge gap to better kidney care’ is significant. Timely blood and urine test as well as Ultrasound scan can detect early kidney failure. We must increase awareness about what will happen if kidneys fail. People should be made aware that early referral and early treatment can delay the progression of renal failure. The prime concern should be to increase the awareness of the disease and about the current treatments that are available these days”.

To bring down the overall burden of kidney diseases on our health systems, this partnership will also focus upon undertaking refresher educational programs by country’s top 30 nephrologists for about 1000 primary care physicians through three interactive modules. These modules will point towards deep education on key signs for early diagnosis, awareness and management strategies and relevant point of interventions. Dr. Ravi Shankar Bonu, Honorary Secretary-Indian Society of Nephrology, South Zone Chapter and Consultant Nephrologist at Manipal Hospitals, Whitefield, Bengaluru said, “Awareness and detection of kidney disease is very important as someone who develops kidney disease that progresses to advanced and irreversible kidney failure can be devastating. Here, early detection in at risk population like those with a long-standing medical condition like diabetes and hypertension is important. A few clues such as swelling of legs, newly detected high BP especially in young, frequent urination at night etc could indicate a kidney disease at early stages. Easy fatigue, poor appetite, skin discoloration or a low haemoglobin could be symptoms of a late or advanced kidney disease”. Explaining the detection mechanism, he added, “It is easy to detect kidney disease by doing THREE simple tests. A urine examination for the presence of protein and blood, a single blood test called serum creatinine and an ultrasonography scan of the abdomen to look at kidney size and appearance”.

Speaking on this occasion, Dr. Anil Kukreja, VP- Regulatory and Medical Affairs, AstraZeneca India, said “Chronic Kidney Disease in simple terms means that kidney do not work at their full capacity which if ignored can lead to renal complications and sometimes failure. Our partnership with ISN is a firm step towards collaboratively reducing CKD related mortality and morbidity rate through patient & HCP education and improving kidney health for all. Under the aegis of ISN, we will be able to impart right education amongst public so that they understand that early detection is really crucial to slow down progression to improve long term health outcomes”.