Srinagar: The Department of Nephrology Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences celebrated World Kidney Day today to raise awareness on kidney health with focus on this year’s theme ‘Kidney Health for everyone everywhere- living well with kidney disease”.
The experts unanimously stressed for lifestyle modifications for maintaining healthy kidneys which include exercise, weight control, avoiding smoking, alcohol , self-medication and fad diets which are the leading cause of kidney diseases.
Director SKIMS & Ex-officio Secretary to Govt. Dr. A.G Ahangar in his address said that SKIMS has taken tremendous strides in the field of Nephrology and the department is carrying forward the legacy set in past by its luminaries to serve common people through excellent patient centric services. He said SKIMS is only authorized Institute to run Kidney Transplant Program which is a huge success. At academic front start of Doctoral Program recently in Nephrology is major milestone achieved by the department.
Apart from super specialty services provided to the patients he said SKIMS is playing critical role in facilitating the poor patients by providing financial assistance through Centrally Sponsored financial schemes operational at SKIMS to cover their treatment other than recently launched Sehat Scheme. He stressed for more involvement of NGO’s and social groups to facilitate chronic kidney disease patients in providing various services like dialysis which puts huge financial burden on poor patients.
Dean Medical Faculty Prof. Omar Javed Shah complimented the organising team for these educative programs and said such programs are critical in raising awareness among general masses. He also pressed for more patient-centric activities and appreciated administration for excellent management and patient care services.
During the program the experts deliberated on various issues pertaining to Kidney health. Prof. Mohammad Ashraf Bhat HOD, Nephrology SKIMS in his presentation strictly warned about fad diets particularly by young generation. He stressed for continuous monitoring of diabetes and hypertension which are leading causes of chronic kidney disease.
Dr. Tajamul Hussain Mir HOD, Nephrology Super Speciality hospital Srinagar in his in-depth presentation warned about dangerous consequences of Obesity in relation of kidney diseases and asked people to maintain healthy weight which otherwise has huge repercussions on their kidney health.
Dr. Salim Wani, HOD Urology & Kidney Transplant Unit, SKIMS discussed in detail about the kidney transplant program at SKIMS and urged for immediate establishment URO-Nephro Centre to cater chronic kidney diseases which are growing at alarming pace. He also emphasized for Cadaver Transplant Program as need of hour to cater huge gap between availability and demand. In this direction awareness among medical faculty and awareness at community level is needed, he urged.
On the occasion Director Doordarshan News Salman Qazi was felicitated by Director SKIMS for wide publicity and awareness of SKIMS activities through various Programs of Doordarshan.
Besides, scientific presentations there was also panel discussion moderated by Ex-HOD & Director Wellcare Hospital Dr. Gh. Hassan Mallik & Dr. Imtiyaz , Consultant Nephrology SKIMS. The program was participated by Heads of Departments, Faculty, Students and other staff members of the Institute.

KR Desk