Kidney disease: DHS project eyes Poinguinim

MARGAO: The directorate of health services (DHS) is conducting a house-to-house survey of approximately 50,000 people in Canacona, after observing an alarming rise in kidney-related ailments in the taluka.
The survey includes patients coming under the jurisdiction of Poinguinim community health centre.
DHS health educator and project in-charge Ranjan Naik told TOI that they hope to diagnose patients with kidney diseases at an early stage and take the required preventive measures.
"The project (to detect and treat kidney diseases in Canacona) was launched in August 2010. We collected urine and blood samples of 200 students of Class XI and XII to detect the age of the onset of such ailments. Out of the cluster, 13 students had symptoms of kidney-related diseases and eight of the 13 categorized as hypertensive were from Poinguinim. This is one of the main reasons why we decided to conduct a methodological survey of the population in the area," said Naik.
Thirteen health workers are in the process of screening people from 7am to 11am and from 4pm to 7pm, according to Naik. The workers are provided with accommodation on the CHC premises to make data collection easier and more effective.
"The format of the survey is at par with international standards, where aspects of the candidate's health history will be recorded and samples of urines and blood collected. Health workers, paramedics and doctors from the GMC nephrology department were trained for the project," he added.
The project has the support of the Indian Medical Association (IMA).
According to DHS, estimates indicate that 80% of the total kidney patients admitted to the Goa medical college (GMC) and hospital, Bambolim, are from the taluka of Canacona.
Figures indicate that 70% to 75% of the people from Canacona suffer from kidney ailments. Out of approximately 394 kidney patients, 94 undergo regular dialysis at GMC.
DHS statistics also show that people from the villages of Pagi and Velip have a high risk of having kidney disease.
Canacona health centre records indicate that 25,000 dialyses were conducted by them from 2003.
Naik appealed to the people to cooperate with the surveyors to ensure the success of the project.
"The DHS hopes to reach out to all the people in the taluka, especially those in areas with a higher risk of kidney-related ailments. We need their cooperation to be able to give them the health services they may require," he added.
The DHS will also organize a mobile health camp on February 26. The highlight of the camp will be the launch of mobile clinic services in Amona, said Naik.
The clinic will provide advanced medical consultation to people in need, right at their doorsteps, he said.