Baxter India Private Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Baxter International Inc., has committed to raising awareness of kidney disease and transforming care for patients urges the general public to get screened for kidney disease and proud to support World Kidney Day 2014.
World Kidney Day is an annual occasion, to raise awareness about the dangers of kidney disease and to send a clear message to the general public and governments that chronic kidney disease (CKD) is common, harmful and treatable, if diagnosed early.
Dr Ashok Moharana, director medical affairs, Baxter says, “ As the prevalence of end-stage kidney disease continues to rise worldwide, Baxter is helping expand access to life-sustaining treatment options. Our growing global presence also ensures availability of these critical products and services to those who need it. We believe in advocacy, support for health care professionals and patients to remove the barriers that stand in the way of optimal care for patients.”
CKD which is predicted to increase by 10 per cent annually in India, is now recognized as global public health issue. If detected early and managed appropriately, the deterioration in kidney function can be slowed or even stopped - yet awareness of kidney diseases is very low and many people underestimate the vital role their kidneys play.
About 1 in 10 people have some degree of CKD and it can affect people of all ages and origin. It becomes more common with increasing age. Regular screening can help detect any abnormalities in the functions of the kidney. In the initial stages, kidney disease usually does not have signs (a change in body) or symptoms (a change in how one feels). Testing is the only way to know how kidneys are doing. It is important to get checked for kidney disease regularly if one has the key risk factors – diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, or a family history of kidney failure. This is important because CKD increases the risk of heart attack and stroke, and in some cases can progress to kidney failure (ESRD) requiring dialysis or transplantation for sustenance. Early detection can lead to treatment options that help to maintain the health of kidneys and reduce the risk of developing irreversible kidney failure.
Based on the current Indian population of 1.27 billion, even a conservative estimate of end stage renal disease (ESRD) burden in India would suggest that about 2,00,000 people develop ESRD every year.
Kidney transplant is a limited option due to a shortage of donor organs hence dialysis remains the common form of renal replacement therapy. There are different dialysis treatment options designed to meet patients’ unique needs. Age, health and timing (onset) should be considered when choosing the right form of dialysis.