Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is becoming a pandemic globally including India. More than 500 million persons worldwide, 10% of the adult population (13.6% in India-SEEK study) have some form of kidney damage, and every year millions die prematurely of heart diseases linked to CKD. Every day our kidneys filter and clean 200 liters of blood. Besides this kidney also help to control our blood pressure, to produce red blood cells and to keep our bones healthy. The purpose of World Kidney Day is to raise awareness about the importance of our kidneys and to convey the key messages that the kidney disease is common, harmful, treatable and preventable if diagnosed early. International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and International Federation of Kidney Foundations (IFKF) have jointly decided to celebrate World Kidney Day on every second Thursday of March, starting for the first time in 2006.

Chronic kidney disease is usually asymptomatic in the initial stages and sometimes in the later stages as well. Most of the patients are referred to kidney specialists at late stages where the recovery / prevention of progression is not possible. The cost of renal replacement therapy (RRT) either dialysis or transplant for total kidney failure is very high and is beyond reach of most of the public and health care systems. More importantly kidney disease is a “disease multiplier”. CKD increases the heart disease by 10 times and it causes death in many young persons having diabetes and hypertension.

Early detection of the CKD is simple and prevention of progression is possible at a much affordable price. Early detection and treatment of CKD can not only slow or halt the progression of patients to end-stage renal disease, but it can also significantly reduce the incidence of heart attacks and adds years of life. Hypertension and diabetes are the two major etiologies for CKD and its progression. India is the “Worlds diabetes capital” with every 5th diabetic being Indian. India has 41 millions diabetics and the number is expected to reach 68 millions by 2025. 40% of the uncontrolled diabetics will develop kidney failure. This incidence can be reduced from 40% to 9% with good blood sugar and blood pressure control.

Muljibhai Patel Urological Hospital in addition to providing kidney care and renal replacement therapies, over last two years on the occasion of world kidney day has screened 1707 people free of cost for Early Evaluation and detection of kidney diseases by organizing camps at various places in Gujarat. We are conducting survey of Government officers for early detection of non-communicable diseases such as Hypertension, Diabetes and Kidney diseases. Till date we have screened 1547 government employees.

On the occasion of third World Kidney Day this year on 13th March,2008 we are happy to announce FREE medical check up including laboratory tests for detection of Kidney disease, diabetes and hypertension for the first 5000 people during this year.

On this occasion we are very proud to announce presence amongst us a world renowned Nephrologist Dr.William Couser,MD who is also a world kidney day steering committee member. He is going to conduct a continuing medical education programme for nephrologists at Nadiad. He will be addressing the Press as well as doctors from Anand and Nadiad at Pramukhswami Medical College, Karamsad.