? KANIVU? A new project to support kidney patients in Kerala

Dubai
 A religious head from Kerala has announced an ambitious project in association with a well-reputed medical charity to launch    an awareness campaign about increasing kidney diseases in the state, caused by lifestyle diseases and alcoholism.

With the participation of philanthropists from all sections of the society, the project will also extend a helping hand to all needy kidney patients in the state, irrespective of their religion or cast, said Rev. Dr. Philipose Mar Chrysostom, the senior metropolitan bishop of Marthoma Church in Kerala, in a statement.

Although 90 percent per cent of kidney patients in the state cannot afford increasing costs of the medical treatment, there is no mechanism in the government or private sector to help those needy people, he said.

"Such a situation demands a comprehensive project to help those people," he said.

As part of the project, a support group formed to assist Santhi Medical Information Centre, a well-reputed medical charity based in Thrissur, which has been supporting and assisting the needy kidney patients during the past 14 years.

The centre's director Mrs. Uma Preman had donated one of her kidneys in 1999 to a stranger, a 24-year-old young man who was in a critical condition but had to look after his younger siblings after the death of his parents. Since then the recipient has been leading a healthy life and actively working with the charity.

The initiative was taken in a meeting in Sharjah between the senior metropolitan bishop and Mrs. Uma Preman who are on a short visit to the UAE. Sabah Joseph, the managing director of Sabah Group was also present at the meeting.

The senior metropolitan bishop who is popularly known, as Chrysostom Thirumenni? will be the chief patron of the support group. The group aims to raise funds by enrolling philanthropists from all sections of the society, who are willing to pay a life membership fee of Rs 100,000 (1-lakh rupees). Chrysostom Thirumenni said if about 5,000 members join the group; the money from their membership fee would be enough to provide free medical treatment including dialysis and kidney transplantation to all needy patients in the state.

As the first member of the group, Chrysostom Thirumenni contributed Rs 1,00,000. Sabah Group in Sharjah has also paid Rs 100,000 to join the group. Thirumenni said the project was expected to start by early next year. He said he was concerned about the increasing kidney diseases in the state mainly due to diabetes, hypertension and alcoholism.

Awareness campaigns to promote healthy food habits and lifestyle, and discourage alcohol consumption will be the priority of the project, Thirumenni said. Of the estimated 3, 00,000 kidney patients, most of them are between 20 and 45 years old, Uma Preman said. "These poor people find it hard to access the costly medical treatment as they don't have any medical insurance cover. Since they are unable to work they are considered as a burden to their families and society," she explained.

If free medicine and treatment including dialysis and kidney transplantation are provided, the productivity of a major section of the population can be regained, Uma Preman said.

Those who are interested to support the initiative,

Donation Payment mode Note: Cheque / Drafts/Money Transfer are to be drawn in favour of

Account Name :   "SANTHI MEDICAL INFORMATION CENTRE" Account N0 :    4275002100004841 Bank Name :   Punjab National Bank Branch Name :   Guruvayur, Kerala.  RTGS CODE :   PUNB0427500 Bank Tel :   0487-2556446

Donations are tax exempt under Sec 80 G. of IT. Act.

 

As it was earlier mentioned, kidney patients are increasing day by day and the only solution is dialysis or transplantation to stay alive. But the painful fact is that, due to lack of donors, most of kidney patients are forced to accept their final fate.  (I.e.-Premature death.) With so many life-threatening diseases and possibilities that target the organs, having a fresh supply of donor organs is a struggle. The Organ donations projects are one of the most important lifelines across the world. If organs are readily available for those waiting for an organ transplant, then there are life-saving organ transplant surgeries performed every day.Our mission is to bring awareness and information about the need for organ donation to encourage people to become organ donors.  The awareness programme is propagated through street drama Punarjini and another stage plays Avayava Mahayudham by cine artist Sri. Sivaji Guruvayur throughout Kerala.In a seminar conduct by SANTHI on organ Donation at Guruvayur South Indian supreme star Mr. R.Sarath Kumar M.L.A.TENKASI and sri. Babu.M.Palissery M.L.A. KunnamKulam announced their willingness to donate their organs. Actor Sarath Kumar also said that organ donation is the noblest act one can do and it should be need a part of our culture.Along with the amassing awareness propagated through the stage shows and the heart-warming response of our young civic-conscious citizens, we as a nation of 1.2 billion, should be able to cater to the needs of the millions waiting for new organs and a new life.Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.