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Nephrology Society demands national policy on non-communicable diseases

Nagpur: The Nephrology Society (NS), Nagpur, is demanding a national policy on non-communicable diseases (NCD), including the chronic kidney disease (CKD), so that patients can have access to much better diagnostic and treatment facilities.

Earlier, communicable diseases were considered as the killer diseases but now the incidence of NCD has risen to 70%.

One of the reasons, say doctors, is consumption of contaminated water. As per the society, CKD claims one death in every three persons at Khandala village in Akot taluka in Akola district. Hence, the society is planning to adopt a village in Vidarbha where this problem is high to conduct an epidemiological evidence-based research.

The society will then submit a report to government to create pressure for a national policy which is expected to increase budget allocations for NCD, including CKD. “We have already met Union minister Nitin Gadkari and are seeking appointment with chief minister Devendra Fadnavis for creating a policy,” nephrologist Dr Dhananjay Ookalkar told reporters on Thursday.

Dr Ookalkar is convener of the annual conference of NS to be held on World Kidney Day on Sunday to mark the annual day of the society. NS chairman Dr Sameer Choubey said the society is also planning to replicate the M-health pilot project in Jharkhand wherein services of Asha workers will be taken to collect information on CKDs in villages through mobile phones.

Secretary of society, Dr Sameer Balwani, and MP Dr Vikas Mahatme will release a book ‘Evidence based medicine-principles and practice’ at the conference while MLA Dr Milind Mane will inaugurate the NS website.

Dr Kumud Mehta from Mumbai will deliver the Dr BS Choubey oration. Dr Ookalkar will be awarded the Dr HR Salkar memorial professional excellence award.

Dr Valentine Lobo from Pune will speak on ‘Haemolytic uremic syndrome’ and Dr S Achanta on ‘Urinary tract infection’.

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