According to Dr Ajay, combating Kidney disease in India has to be a two pronged approach as it is both a medical and an economic problem. The diagnostic test carried out to detect kidney problems in the initial stages is not really designed to detect the onset of the disease. Treatment of kidney disease demands early detection to avoid it precipitating into a chronic ailment.
For many patients, kidney problems pose a huge financial drain as dialysis in India costs anything between Rs 750 to Rs 2000. 90% succumb to the disease because it is unaffordable to avail treatment.
Dr Ajay Singh said that apart from controlling diabetes, it is equally important to start treatment of kidney ailments in its early stages. It is also imperative that blood pressure is controlled. He added "As part of the World Kidney Day, SEEK Project (Screening and early evaluation of kidney disease project) is holding programmes and screenings all over the country to educate the public."