Be aware ….Save The Kidney

Kidney diseases are often detected too late

Photo Courtesy: Health Medical 

Awareness of Kidney Diseases is low with many people totally underestimating the vital role our kidneys play, when in fact kidney damage and disease causes serious morbidity for hundreds of thousands of people, and in some cases leads to death. Chronic diseases – that already account for 72% of the total global burden of disease in people over 30 – will increase by 17% over the next decade; much of this in developing countries like India.

Our kidneys remove toxins and excess water from our blood. They also help to control our blood pressure, to produce red blood cells and hormones, and to keep our bones healthy.

There is a close relationship between kidney diseases, diabetes and hypertension. Worldwide, 246 million people suffer from diabetes and the figure is expected to reach 380 million by 2025. Diabetic kidney disease affects a third of people suffering from diabetes.India has about 50 million diabetic patients and diabetes affects the kidneys in 30-40% patients with renal failure related to diabetes accounting for about 20% of patients on dialysis.  Unfortunately, less than half of those people diagnosed with diabetes undergo a simple screening test for kidney disease.

Kidney diseases are often detected too late, when the patient is already in end-stage renal failure and will need either dialysis or transplantation. Worldwide, over 1.5 million people are undergo dialysis or transplantation and this number is forecasted to double within the next 10 years. In India only a small percentage of people can afford dialysis and transplantation.

A simple way to prevent these issues is to tackle the problem at the source, and ensure early diagnosis of kidney damage by systematically screening people diagnosed with diabetes or hypertension. This can be done with simple and inexpensive urine tests. If detected early, damage can be treated with effective therapies. If diagnosed too late, kidney diseases lead to kidney failure, which entails dialysis and transplantation. 

World Kidney Day

Celebrated worldwide onthe second Thursday of March, World Kidney Day offers a crucial, visible opportunity to inform and educate health policy-makers, people who are at highest risk of CKD, and the general public that kidney disease is common, harmful and treatable.

The Department of Nephrology at Christian Medical College, Ludhiana, will be organizing a Kidney Health Camp in the nephrology OPD from 8 - 11 AM on 10^th March, 2012, which will include free registration, nephrology and diet consultation, screening urine and blood tests, health education and awareness promotion.Please feel free to check your kidneys especially if you are diabetic, have high blood pressure, smoke, use regular pain medications, are above 40 years of age or have a close relative with diabetes or kidney disease.

For Further Details Please Contact  Dr.Jasmine Das: 9988345898
by Shalu Arora and Rector Kathuria

The Gift of Life: 21 years later // by Dr Kim Mammen

He discontinued his studies and was bed ridden

Paramjit Singh runs a Karyana and multi-purpose store at Una, Himachel Pradesh, and supports his wife and two children. He has perfect health now and eats normal food considering the illness he suffered during his adolescence, 21 years ago. At the age of 17, in 1990, he was diagnosed to have end stage kidney failure and he was dependent on hemodialysis for his survival. Due to his kidney failure, he discontinued his studies and he was bed ridden for a while. He used to get hemodialysis three times a week at CMCH. Why would fate strike a person in his youthful age of 17? Is this God’s punishment to me and my family? These were the thoughts that went through his mind while he went through the ordeal of hemodialysis for his end stage kidney failure? His father, Rattan Singh, was a Police Officer and he decided to donate his kidney for his son. 27-August-1991 was the long awaited day he dreamt of to receive the “Gift of life” from his father. Parmajit Singh underwent successful kidney transplantation at CMCH. Dr Kim Mammen, Professor & Head, Department of Urology & Renal Transplant Surgeon had performed the renal transplant operation for Paramjit Singh. This was the first ever successful renal transplant surgery performed at CMCH. This was also Dr Kim Mammen’s first renal transplant operation of his career. Recalling the experience of his first renal transplant operation, Dr Mammen confessed that he displayed his best surgical skills in getting the first ever renal transplant operation at CMCH go right and perfect. God’s choicest blessings and a good team-work was the Mantra for the successful operation. The check list he had made for every step of the procedure went right, Dr Mammen confessed 21 years later.

Soon after the kidney transplantation operation, Rattan Singh [Father] was thrilled to know that his donated kidney was working perfectly well on his only son. This was the greatest gift a father could ever give to his son. Rattan Singh recovered well after the operation and he went home six days after the operation. Paramjit Singh was discharged two weeks after the renal transplant operation with normal kidney function. It was a dream come true for Paramjit Singh when he experienced a urine output of more than two liters a day. Before the renal transplant operation, he was passing less than 100 ml of urine in a day and that too with hemodialysis three days a week. Before the operation, he had dreamt to pass urine in good volumes and he was uncertain whether he would fulfill this dream. Paramjit Singh stayed in Ludhiana for a month after the renal transplant operation for getting regular check-ups and blood tests done. A month later, he returned to Una and he started to do part-time education.

Three years after the successful renal transplant operation, Paramjit Singh got married and he now has two children. Paramjit Singh has led a happy married life and his children are excited that their dad is leading a normal life after 21 years of his renal transplant operation. He has had minor ailments and infections which were promptly treated by the CMCH Doctors. Presently Paramjit Singh comes for regular check-ups every two months. Paramjit Singh continues to work as a motivator and promoter for renal transplant surgery and he has proved that this is the only salvation for patients with end stage kidney failure who are totally dependent on hemodialysis. He is indebted to the doctors and nurses of CMCH who looked after him during and after the kidney transplantation operation.

Ever since Paramjit Singh’s successful renal transplant operation in 1991, Dr Kim Mammen has performed more than 500 renal transplant operations both at CMCH and in the UK where he had served as a Consultant Urologist and Renal Transplant Surgeon. Dr Mammen proudly reiterated that the Transplant Team at CMCH had also done Punjab’s first successful cadaver renal transplant in Jan-1997 and the second one in June-2000.

As the world celebrates the “World Kidney Day” Paramjit Singh proudly said “I am a true beneficiary of the Gift of Life by kidney donation and I am now cured of the end stage kidney disease. I was once destined to die but now, I am determined to live. Thank you kidney transplantation and thank you CMCH for the gift of life.” {Issued on:Dated: 07-Mar-2012}

Compiled by Dr Kim Mammen, 
Professor & Head, Department of Urology, 
Renal Transplant Surgeon, 
Christian Medical College Hospital, Ludhiana. 

Ms. Amena Afzali signing an MoU

The Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri Mukul Wasnik and the Cabinet Minister for Labor, Social Affairs, Martyrs and Disabled (MoLSAMD), Ms. Amena Afzali signing an MoU between the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Martyrs and Disabled, Government of Afghanistan and the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, in New Delhi on March 06, 2012.  (PIB photo)   06-March-2012

Mrs. Dempsey Urges Spouses to Share

'Amazing' Stories          
By Elaine Sanchez
American Forces Press Service
ARLINGTON, Va., March 5, 2012 - Military spouses have amazing stories that all Americans need to hear, the wife of the nation's top military officer said here March 3.

Deanie Dempsey, wife of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, urges a group of military spouses to share their "extraordinary" stories with the American public while speaking at Military.com's 2012 Military Spouse Summit in Arlington, Va., March 3, 2012. DOD photo by Elaine Sanchez  "I want all of America to see what I see -- this is a group that can be an incredible source of good," Deanie Dempsey, wife of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, told a group of military spouses attending Military.com's 2012 Military Spouse Summit. This past decade of war has challenged military families in ways no one could have anticipated, Dempsey noted. Yet, spouses have remained steadfast -- serving and sacrificing alongside their service members. "As Marty and I have traveled around, we have been personally touched by your commitment and your sense of service to your country," she told the spouses. As a nearly 36-year military spouse who has moved 21 times, Dempsey said, she understands spouses' challenges, whether it's health care, education or employment. She's also a military mom -- all three of her children served in the Army, and her son remains on active duty. When it comes to issues such as employment, military spouses aren't seeking special treatment -- just equal treatment, she said. The Joining Forces campaign is making strides in its efforts to aid military families, Dempsey noted, citing its progress tackling spouse employment issues. First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, launched this initiative last year to rally the nation in support of troops, veterans and their families. A few weeks ago, the first lady and Biden, alongside senior defense officials, unveiled a report that aims to remove employment barriers for the thousands of spouses with occupational licenses. A lack of license portability -- the ability to transfer an existing license to a new state with minimal application requirements -- can cause spouses to bear high administrative and financial burdens as they attempt to obtain a license. At the time of the announcement, eight states had passed legislation to ease license portability issues, while 15 others had legislation pending or waiting to be introduced. Since then, Dempsey said, four more states have introduced legislation to support spouse licensure. Additionally, the American Society of Travel Agents has announced the creation of the Joining Forces Travel Industry Coalition, which will amass veteran and military spouse hiring commitments from travel industry firms. Coalition companies have committed to providing nearly 3,000 jobs for veterans and spouses by 2014, Dempsey said. Finally, hiring fairs for veterans and military spouses will take place across the nation throughout the month, she added. Each day, more and more people are recognizing that military spouses represent "a tremendous source of strength," Dempsey said, citing a Marine Corps wife as an example. Stephanie Geraghty started the "Stroller Warriors," a running and fitness club for military spouses at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., to stay healthy, to foster friendships and to help create stronger families. She also helps to raise funds to support families who lost military loved ones, Dempsey said, even as she cares for her two children, one with special needs. Dempsey recalled a quote from Geraghty: "Together we laugh, we cry, we overcome and we run. They are the best teammates I ever had." Stephanie has it right, Dempsey told the spouses. "You are resilient, accomplished, experienced men and women who possess strong values and an even stronger work ethic," she said. "You are the best teammates everyone can ever have." Dempsey encouraged spouses to keep telling their "extraordinary" stories -- to each other and to the American public -- "because it's an amazing story that everyone should hear," she said. Dempsey recalled a story the first lady shared at the Pentagon event to unveil the licensure report. Obama was meeting with a group of spouses in Kentucky, she said, when one spouse, with tears in her eyes, discussed concerns about her husband's deployment. Another spouse in the group jumped in immediately and said, "I don't know this woman. I didn't meet her before today. But when she leaves here today, she will have my number and she will be able to call me any time. She will get the support of this friend right here." "That story tells us who military spouses are," Dempsey said. "This is the life so many of you lead, [and] that is the commitment I'd like all of us to give each other." Related Sites:

Special Report: Military Family Support Related Articles: Mrs. Dempsey: Military Families Take Care of Each Other First Lady, Panetta Unveil Effort to Aid Spouse Employment

The NCPCR Foundation Day function

The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Women and Child Development, Smt. Krishna Tirath addressing at the NCPCR Foundation Day function, in New Delhi on March 05, 2012. (PIB photo) 05-March-2012

Prashant Bhushan is a Shameless Traitor

He should be dismissed and disowned byAnna Hazare 

 Narain Kataria in New York

The vituperative comments by Anna Hazare Team Member Prashant Bhushan in the main stream media last week against RSS and Chief Minister Narendra Modi are not only appalling but also highly reprehensible.  It looks as if this loony leftists is suffering from cognitive disorder, Hinduphobia, or both.

It is a matter of great regret and shame that instead of expressing sympathy with 58 innocent Hindu women and children who were burnt alive by 2000 Muslims goons at Godhra station on February 27, 2002, this guy has the temerity to find fault with Hindus and Chief Minister of Gujarat Narendra Modi!  Narendra Modi is a very capable administrator and knows full well as to how to handle religious bigots with an iron hand.  That is the reason, in the last 10 years, there is complete harmony and peace in Gujarat!

Conversely, relentless jihad against Hindus and Sikhs is going on in Pakistan and Bangladesh.  Hindu girls are kidnapped, converted to Islam and forcibly married to Muslim men. Hindus live in Pakistan and Bangladesh under Islamic subjugation. In December 2011, 250 Hindus left their homes and hearths and sought political asylum in India.  In November 2011, 4 Hindu doctors were gunned down in Sind by Islamic militants.  In May, 2010, according to a report in DNA 50 Pakistani Hindus were converted to Islam under pressure from their employers.  Hindus have been almost ethnically cleansed in Pakistan.  Bangladesh Minority Watch in January 2012 reported that some Muslims  perpetrators wearing masks and equipped with deadly weapons attacked Hindus and destroyed Hindu deities in Barisal district.

More than half a million Hindus have been forcibly driven from the Indian state of Kashmir by Deobandi / Barelvi / Salafist / Wahhabi Islamic terrorists.

Though Radical Islamists have been murdering innocent people all over the world as mentioned below, it is inexplicable as to why this guy is supporting Islamic terrorism in India. Last year he had been beaten for supporting separation of Kashmir from India. 

This guy is exploiting his position with Anna Hazare to promote his pro-terrorist agenda.  Thus, he is tarnishing the image of Anna Hazare.  This dubious character is a security risk and should be watched by intelligence agencies.  He should also be investigated by CBI for his links with ISI operatives.

It is also disgusting to note that media, particularly English, in collusion with deadly combination of Leftist-Islamist activists cynically exploited the 10^th anniversary of Gujarat riot to denigrate, degrade, demonize and vilify Hindu organizations and Narendra Modi.

A cursory glance at the history of terrorism will clearly indicate the fact that most of the terrorist activities, at least 95% of them, all over the world in the last 50 years have been and are being conducted by the adherents of Islam and trained Islamic terrorists..

The World Trade Center in New York, Beslan in Russia, Bali in Indonesia, Madrid in Spain, London, Mumbai,  Godhra Railway Station in India, India’s Parliament Complex in New Delhi, Thailand and Philippine – these were all cases of global Muslim terrorism.

Recently in his 36 page report entitled “Building Resilience against Terrorism”, Canda’s Public Safety Minister Vic Toews said that muslim extremists are the number one threat to Canada.

In Sudan, Jihad was declared and approximately two and half million Christians were butchered by Islamists.

Boko Haram, an Islamic organization in Nigeria, is believed to be responsible for killing and maiming hundreds of people.

Somali Jihadists and The Islamist al-Shabab militia who are slaughtering people like goats in  Mogadishu are all the followers of Islam.

There is a wholesale attack and murder of Coptic Christians in Egypt by the Islamic Brotherhood.

Last month, 40 Islamic extremist organizations held three big public meetings in Pakistan.  In Multan, Lahore and Karachisomewhere between 50,000 to 100,000 jihadists vigorously participated in each meeting.  They vowed to break India into pieces, kill Americans and wipe out Israel.

Under the circumstances, we  suggest that this guy should be immediately removed from Anna Hazare Team and arrested by Government of India for seditious  activities.

World Stroke Campaign International Committee

CMC Neurologist DrJeyaraj nominated as Chair

DrJeyaraj D Pandian, Professor and Head of Neurology at Christian Medical College, Ludhiana has been nominated as the Chair of the World Stroke Campaign (WSC) International Working Committee.DrPandian took this responsibility during the recent board meeting of World Stroke Organization (WSO) held in New Orleans, USA.   Talking about the new position, DrPandian stated that he felt honored to take up the post as a first Asian/Indian. He mentioned that the WSO/WSC has been involved in improving the public awareness of stroke across the world over the last 2 years with the major theme “1 in 6”. One in 6 people worldwide will have a stroke in their life time, but stroke is preventable. DrPandian elaborated on the role of WSC in providing education and support for stroke survivors, family members and the health professionals involved in their treatment. The main focus of WSC is the annual World Stroke Day which is observed on 29th October every year. He discussed that the public awareness activities in India had increased over the last 2 years.

DrJeyaraj D Pandian also gave an invited talk at the International Stroke Congress which was held in New Orleans, USA from February 1st to 3rd. The special symposium was arranged jointly by the American Stroke Association, World Health Organization and World Stroke Organization.DrPandian is privileged to be the first Indian Neurologist to be invited to give a talk at the International Stroke Congress. He discussed about the rising burden of stroke in low and middle income countries like India and how to face the challenge.
Stroke or brain attack occurs when there is a blockage due to a clot in one of the arteries in the brain or when the artery bursts that would lead to brain hemorrhage. DrPandian briefed that 80% of the time stroke occurs because of high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol, smoking, heavy alcohol drinking, unhealthy eating and lifestyle habits. He reemphasized that stroke is a preventable and treatable disease.
DrYashpal Singh Professor of Neurology at CMC Ludhiana said that stroke symptoms can be easily recognized. Patients present with sudden paralysis in one side, sudden trouble speaking, sudden deviation of face, sudden giddiness, loss of vision etc. It is important that patients recognize these symptoms. If they reach CMC within 4 ½ hours they can receive a clot bursting drug called rtPA which can dissolve the clot. He added that in the Comprehensive Stroke Program at CMC over the last 3 years 42 patients have received this particular drug. There is a 24 hour brain attack team available to evaluate these patients. ( Shalu Arora and Rector Kathuria) (Issued on March 4, 2012)