Karnataka government has set up the first Institute of Nephro-Urology in India at a cost of Rs 15 crore in Bangalore early this month. The Institute is expected to provide comprehensive treatment for diseases pertaining to nephrology and urology. It is located at the erstwhile Jayadeva Institute of Cardiology building within the campus of the Victoria Hospital.

The Institute, first-of-its-kind in the country, is dedicated to the treatment of weaker sections of society who suffer from kidney disorders and cannot afford treatment from the private and corporate hospitals, Dr. Venkatesh told Pharmabiz. "Now they can think of subsidized treatment," he added.

The Nephro-Urology Institute is equipped with six modern operation theatres, 18 dialysis machines, a full- fledged intensive care unit (ICU) with eight beds, besides special and general wards.

Experts in urology and nephrology apart from allied specialties have been recruited to perform surgeries like kidney transplantation, minimal invasive surgery, endoscopy, laparoscopy, cancers of the genital urinary tract besides providing treatment for kidney stones without surgery, stated Dr. Venkatesh.

The demand for kidney dialysis and treatment is increasing every day and the Institute will support the poor patients who are becoming victims to it. There are more than 20 lakh patients with renal failure in the country of which 3 lakh cases need kidney transplant and only 2,500 patients are able to perform the transplant because they can afford it. In Karnataka alone, there are 3 lakh patients with renal failure besides other nephro-urology related diseases.

In order to speed up transplants, the State government is in talks with nephrology specialist on the introduction of compulsory Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) typing to ascertain the relationship between kidney donors and recipients. The test will test and identify the false claim of relationship before the magistrate while obtaining certificates which are produced before the Authorization Committee for Organ Transplants.