KARACHI: Mayor Karachi Waseem Akhtar announced on Saturday that the chain of satellite Kidney Disease Centres would be established in Karachi in future to treat the patients suffering from kidney problems on the pattern of Satellite Cardiac Disease Centres.
He said while addressing a kidney diseases awareness program organised by Medical and Health Services Department of Karachi Metropolitan Corporation in the eve of World Kidney Day at Nazeer Hussain Memorial Kidney Centre.
Chairman of District Municipal Corporation (Central) Rehan Hashmi, Vice-Chairman Syed Shakir Ali, Senior Registrar Karachi Medical & Dental College, Dr Asifa, Senior Director Medical & Health Services of KMC Dr Birbal Genani, Medical Superintendent Abbasi Shaheed Hospital (ASH), Karachi Dr Mohammad Anwer and other were present.
Mayor urged the philanthropists to coordinate with Karachi administration to make functional the KMC-run hospitals. He said more dialysis machines would be purchased for Nazeer Hussain Kidney Centre.
He said conditions of KMC run hospitals were deteriorated but efforts were under way to improve patient-care there within the available funds.
Senior Director Medical & Health Services of KMC Dr Birbal Genani, while talking to PPI, said poor diet, diabetes, tension, high blood pressure and low consumption of water are some major reasons behind the prevalence of kidney diseases.
He stressed the need of organising awareness programs to sensitize the citizens to control the spread of kidney diseases in the society.
Dr Asifa said more than 20 million people are suffering from kidney disease in Pakistan and disease is rapidly growing in the country due to poor awareness in the masses.
Experts said consuming junk and low quality food, self-medication or excessive use of medicine, low water intake, obesity, diabetes, hypertension and renal stones are a few common causes of kidney diseases. Toxic drugs and fake medicines have their own considerable share in kidney damage.
To avoid kidney disease it is necessary, diet and lifestyle should be healthy, live a simple and active life. The best way to prevent kidney failure is early diagnosis of underlying disease and aggressive treatment, otherwise permanent kidney damage may occur that can prove fatal.