Bengaluru, March 11, 2020: Manipal Hospitals Bengaluru in association with Karnataka Union Of Working Journalists organised ‘Manipal Anveshan’ - an informative media workshop on transplants with a hope of creating mass awareness on organ donation, transplants and kidney ailments. In line with the theme this year for World Kidney Day, ‘Kidney Health for Everyone, Everywhere’, the hospital also unveiled “Wheel of success” - 8 golden rules for keeping kidneys healthy and fit. Kidney survivors were also felicitated for showing courage and willpower in fighting various kidney ailments.

Ms. Anushree, Sandalwood actress & Indian television presenter in the presence of Mr. Shivananda Tagadur, President, Karnataka Union of Working Journalists, Dr. H Sudarshan Ballal, Chairman Manipal Health Enterprises and Dr. Vishwanath Siddini, HOD – Department of Nephrology at Manipal Hospitals unveiled the Kidney Day Campaign.Also present were Drs Sundar senior  Transplant Physician , Transplant Surgical experts Dr Ravi and Dr Dubey Ms Anuja Pandey, blogger and influencer also graced the occasion 

Ms. Anushree, Sandalwood actress & Indian television presenter said, “I am glad to be part of this initiative and congratulate Manipal Hospitals for their efforts in creating awareness on kidney related ailments. I urge people to take their health seriously and incorporate exercise and good eating habits in their lifestyle. Prevention is always better than cure and therefore we must aim to invest on our health.”

Expressing his thoughts, Mr. Shivananda Tagadur, President Karnataka Union of Working Journalist’s, Bangalore said, “The workshop on organ transplant was an eye opener and quite insightful. Transplants are a boon to people suffering from end stage kidney ailment as it can improve quality of life. Me and my entire media fraternity is delighted to be part of this educative workshop and my best wishes to Manipal Hospitals in their endeavour to create mass awareness.”

Dr. Sudarshan Ballal, Chairman, Manipal Health Enterprises said, “We are happy to invite 16 year old Tejaswini who underwent a unique dual transplant of kidney and pancreas at Manipal Hospitals to share her story. Manipal Hospitals provides quaternary and comprehensive kidney care and has the expertise in both adult and pediatric kidney transplants which not many healthcare providers offer. We are able to successfully deal with complex cases with the best in class doctors and international quality equipment’s in kidney transplant. Infact our competent team of nephrologists and urologists have instilled hope among people with challenging cases and have set a benchmark in the medical fraternity. The case of Mr. Jahed Ziyad Moqbel Qaid Farea a 33 year old gentleman from Yemen is also extremely interesting as he underwent dual organ transplant where liver transplant is followed by kidney transplant which is also not very common. Therefore I congratulate the team for achieving medical feat and successfully performing dual transplants. Infact dual transplants are a boon to patients with serious illness and organ failure as it helps to restore quality of life.”

The case of 16-year-old Tejaswini is extremely heartwarming when the family discovered that the little girl had inherited Type 1 diabetes, which destroyed her pancreatic cells. She was suffering from this condition for the past two years and was on insulin. During the course of treatment, it was observed that her pancreases were affected and her kidneys were damaged due to which she was on dialysis. Later, she was referred to Dr. Goutham Kumar, Consultant HPB - Organ Transplant, Liver Transplant Surgery, Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road. The doctors considered her case as a top priority and with proper advice from team of doctors i.e Dr. Ravichand C Siddachari, Consultant HPB, Organ Transplant, Liver Transplant Surgery, Dr. Vishwanath S, HOD & Consultant - Nephrology, Dr. Deepak Dubey, Consultant – Surgical Urology and Transplant Surgeon and Dr. Sudarshan Ballal, Chairman, Manipal Health Enterprises she underwent a Kidney and Pancreas transplant. Now, she will be soon back to school and will lead a normal life.

Mr. Babu Reddy was suffering from kidney issues since 2017. Post a detailed health check at Manipal Hospitals, his kidney creatinine level was very high and was advised to undergo Kidney transplant under Dr. Sundar Sankaran, Consultant – Nephrology, Manipal Hospital Old Aiport Road. During the period of treatment it’s been observed that 50% of his liver functioning was facing issues.

Dr. Goutham Kumar, Consultant HPB - Organ Transplant, Liver Transplant Surgery, Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road and Dr. Ravichand C Siddachari, Consultant HPB, Organ Transplant, Liver Transplant Surgery strongly advised him to go for kidney transplant. Infact to he was lucky as within 2 weeks of time he got a donor who donated both liver and kidney. He finally underwent dual transplant of both kidney and liver. The surgery was challenging and it took 14 hours to finish both the transplants. Mr. Reddy got a new lease of life as his creatinine levels are now normal. Post-transplant, he had infection and was on ventilator and ICU care for nearly two months. At every point of time, he fought back and had a successful liver and kidney transplant. Now, after two and half years he is leading a normal life and is more active.

Dr. Vishwanath Siddini, HOD – Department of Nephrology at Manipal Hospitals said, “People must watch out for early symptoms of kidney failure like reduced urine, excessive fatigue, persistent nausea, fluid retention that leads to swelling. It is always better to be careful as kidney disease often has no symptoms, and it can go undetected until at a very advanced stage. Patients who are on dialysis, Kidney transplantation significantly improves their overall quality of life. “

Mr. MuJahed Ziyad Moqbel Qaid Farea a 33 year old gentleman from Yemen who had previously suffered from liver disease due to Hepatitis B (HBV) and underwent liver transplant in 2018 at Manipal Hospitals Old Airport Road was back with renal failure. The kidney biopsy test revealed kidney damage and the only option left for him was to undergo kidney transplant on January 2020. This case is unique as he is one of the only few patient who has undergone dual organ transplant where liver transplant is followed by kidney transplant. Fortunately, his liver and kidney function are normal. He is under care of Dr. Ravichand C Siddachari, Consultant HPB, Organ Transplant, Liver Transplant Surgery and Dr. Vishwanath S, HOD & Consultant – Nephrology, Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a non-communicable disease that affects 1 in 10 people worldwide. While its severity can vary, CKD is often progressive and needs lifelong medical care. Over 850 million people worldwide are now estimated to have kidney diseases from various causes. CKD causes at least 2.4 million deaths per year and is now the 6th most common cause of death. 9 out of 10 patients who have kidney disease don’t even know that they have it. Between 2 to 7 million premature deaths happen for lack of access to dialysis and transplantation.