The State government, which is keen to control chronic kidney diseases in Uddanam region, has taken up ‘Stop CKD’ campaign to prevent new cases and protect at least the next generation.
The campaign which began on August 25 will continue till September 6. Under the programme, villagers are being advised to change their food habits and consume purified drinking water The officials are trying to instil confidence among the patients too saying that they would also lead a normal life if proper medical care was taken under the guidance of senior doctors.
According to its studies, many people are not aware of symptoms of the disease and fail to take up medicines even after they are affected. The doctors say that it is easy to control kidney problems if they are detected in the early stage.
40,000 patients
As many as 40,000 people have already been suffering from the disease in several mandals such as Ichchapuram, Sompeta, Kaviti, Palasa, Mandasa and Vajrapukotturu and Meliyaputti. During the medical screening of 1,01,593 villagers in January, 2017, the district Medical and Health Department officials identified 13,093 new cases. The officials are mainly focussing on new patients by giving them valuable suggestions under the campaign.
The patients have to control their blood pressure and sugar levels. Weight loss has to be given top priority. They have to consume purified water. Regular exercise was also suggested to them.
‘Positive response’
District Collector K. Dhananjaya Reddy said that the campaign had evoked positive response as many people had understood the importance of changes in the lifestyle. “It is mainly aimed to instil confidence among the patients and save the next generation. After completion of mandal-level awareness programmes, we will focus on villages. Action plan is being prepared to touch each and every household,” he added.
According to him, the research over the spread of CKD would continue simultaneously under the supervision of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) which has established its study wing in Visakhapatnam. The experts frequently visit Uddanam region and continue their study.