On March 14, 2024, Ms. Pallavi Kumar, Executive Director, MOHAN Foundation (MF), NCR, was invited as a guest speaker for the online awareness session on “Taking Control of Your Kidney Health” on the occasion of World Kidney Day, organised by Medanta—The Medicity Hospital, Gurugram.

 

Dr. Rajesh Ahlawat, Group Chairman, Urology, Renal Care, Medanta-The Medicity Hospital, Gurugram, and Dr. Shyam Bihari Bansal, Senior Director and HOD Nephrology, Medanta-The Medicity Hospital, Gurugram, were the keynote speakers for the session.

 

The session covered various important topics related to kidney health, such as functions of the kidney, symptoms of kidney diseases, chronic kidney disease (CKD), acute kidney injury (AKI), choice of fluids in critically ill patients, surgical aspects of kidney disease, and the importance of early detection and screening.

 

Speakers also addressed the following questions:

 

Dr. Shyam Bihari Bansal:

1. What are the causes of kidney disease?

2. Patients who have been diagnosed with CKD can fast during Ramazan.

3. Does daily water intake prevent CKD progression?

4. How is nephrotic syndrome treated?

5. What are the treatment options for polycystic kidney disease?

 

Dr. Rajesh Ahlawat:

1. What causes kidney damage?

2. Surgical aspects of kidney diseases

3. The importance of early detection and screening

4. How can hospitals and the general public raise awareness about organ donation?

5. Is robotic surgery better than laparoscopic surgery?

6. Can kidney health be improved?

 

Ms. Pallavi Kumar addressed inquiries on how MF coordinates with hospitals, schools, corporates, etc., to raise awareness about organ donation, alongside discussing the reasons behind the scarcity of deceased organ donors in North India. Additionally, she elucidated on the distinction between living and deceased donors, the regulations outlined in the Transplantation of Human Organs Act of 1994, and the significance of maintaining a cadaver registration list.

 

The session culminated with the overarching message that "Prevention is better than cure."

 

Close to 160 participants attended the live session.