Eighty persons out of every one lakh population suffer from kidney related ailments while the number of such patients in the world is estimated to be around 800 million, according to Prof. (Dr.) Biswaranjan Mohanty, Head of the Department of Nephrology at the Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital here.

“Around 50 per cent of kidney patients come for treatment rather late in the day which makes the situation difficult,” Prof. (Dr.) Mohanty said while addressing a program organised in the hospital to mark the World Kidney Day on Thursday.

There was need for creating awareness about kidney related illnesses and how to avoid the same, he said.

Prof. (Dr.) Debabrata Sabat, Professor in the Department of Urology, said there was a need to drink at least two glasses of water in empty stomach early in the morning. A person must consume two and half to three litres of water every day, reduce the salt intake and avoid junk food altogether to stay healthy, he said.

The need for Vitamin D in the body was another important factor, Prof. (Dr.) Sabat said.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. (Dr.) Sanghamitra Mishra, Dean of IMS and SUM Hospital, said different departments should remain alert about treatment of kidney patients. She said that treatment for kidney ailment was known during the time of ancient medical science in India.

Prof. (Dr.) Pushparaj Samantasinhar, Medical Superintendent of the hospital, said dialysis was done in both SUM Hospital and SUM Covid Hospital round the clock for patients during the battle against the pandemic. He said that steps were being taken to undertake kidney transplantation in the hospital.

The program, conducted by Prof. (Dr.) Biswajit Mishra, Assistant Professor in the Department of Nephrology, was attended by Prof. (Dr.) Suren Das, Head of Department of Urology, Prof. (Dr.) Tapas Ranjan Behera, Prof. (Dr.) Deba Prasad Kar, Professors of Nephrology Department, Dr. Priyadarshini Dehuri, Associate Professor of the Department, Dr. Debasmita Rath, Professor in the Pediatric ICU, Dr. Samir Samal, Associate Professor in Critical Care, Ms. Minati Mishra, Nursing Superintendent and Ms. Sobharani Samal, Additional Nursing Superintendent. Dr. Amrita Devi, Assistant Professor in Department of Nephrology, proposed the vote of thanks.

 An awareness rally was taken out from the hospital in the morning on the occasion.