The Hindu : New Delhi News : New IMA campaign to focus on organ donation
NEW DELHI: The Indian Medical Association is going to launch a nationwide awareness programme about organ donation and has asked the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry to take an urgent fresh look at the Transplantation of Human Organ Act, 1994, to make it more donor and recipient-friendly.
“At present spouse, parents, brothers and sisters can donate their organs and only in special circumstances other close relatives can do so. The IMA has recommended that a more liberal approach is required so that more willing members may be able to donate their organs,” said IMA secretary-general S. N. Misra on Tuesday.
“Needy should benefit”
Monday, February 25, 2008
Saturday, February 9, 2008
World Kidney Day - Are your kidneys OK?
World Kidney Day - Are your kidneys OK?
The purpose of World Kidney Day is to raise awareness about the importance of our kidneys – an amazing organ that plays a crucial role in keeping us alive and well – and to spread the message that kidney disease is common, harmful and treatable.
The main job of our kidneys (which are roughly the size of two fists and are located deep in our abdomen, beneath our rib cage) is to remove toxins and excess water from our blood. Every day our kidneys filter and clean 200 liters of blood – a quantity that would fill about 200 bottles or 20 buckets! Besides this impressive, daily feat, kidneys also help to control our blood pressure, to produce red blood cells and to keep our bones healthy.
If our kidneys gradually lose their ability to function, we speak of chronic kidney disease (CKD). It is a “silent” disease and often goes unnoticed because it may not be “felt”. Yet it affects many more people than we would ever imagine: studies of different races living on different continents worldwide have consistently shown that about 1 out of 10 adults has some form of kidney damage.
People with chronic kidney disease are 10 times more likely than healthy individuals to die of heart attacks and strokes. The health of their kidneys may also progressively worsen to the point where the kidneys must be replaced (this is called "end-stage renal disease"). Either patients receive a new, transplanted kidney or they are kept alive with “dialysis” – usually by a machine which cleans their blood about three times a week.
Fortunately, we can detect chronic kidney disease early on, and detection is easy. Simple, routine tests of our urine, blood and blood pressure can show early signs of kidney problems. And the good news is that once we know these problems, we can slow down and even stop chronic kidney disease, by taking medicines and changing some of our living habits.
Early detection and treatment of CKD can not only slow or halt the progression of patients to end-state renal disease, but it can also significantly reduce the incidence of cardiovascular diseases, which are today by far the most common cause of premature deaths worldwide.
The purpose of World Kidney Day is to raise awareness about the importance of our kidneys – an amazing organ that plays a crucial role in keeping us alive and well – and to spread the message that kidney disease is common, harmful and treatable.
The main job of our kidneys (which are roughly the size of two fists and are located deep in our abdomen, beneath our rib cage) is to remove toxins and excess water from our blood. Every day our kidneys filter and clean 200 liters of blood – a quantity that would fill about 200 bottles or 20 buckets! Besides this impressive, daily feat, kidneys also help to control our blood pressure, to produce red blood cells and to keep our bones healthy.
If our kidneys gradually lose their ability to function, we speak of chronic kidney disease (CKD). It is a “silent” disease and often goes unnoticed because it may not be “felt”. Yet it affects many more people than we would ever imagine: studies of different races living on different continents worldwide have consistently shown that about 1 out of 10 adults has some form of kidney damage.
People with chronic kidney disease are 10 times more likely than healthy individuals to die of heart attacks and strokes. The health of their kidneys may also progressively worsen to the point where the kidneys must be replaced (this is called "end-stage renal disease"). Either patients receive a new, transplanted kidney or they are kept alive with “dialysis” – usually by a machine which cleans their blood about three times a week.
Fortunately, we can detect chronic kidney disease early on, and detection is easy. Simple, routine tests of our urine, blood and blood pressure can show early signs of kidney problems. And the good news is that once we know these problems, we can slow down and even stop chronic kidney disease, by taking medicines and changing some of our living habits.
Early detection and treatment of CKD can not only slow or halt the progression of patients to end-state renal disease, but it can also significantly reduce the incidence of cardiovascular diseases, which are today by far the most common cause of premature deaths worldwide.
Should organ donation after death be opt-in or opt-out? - Telegraph
Should organ donation after death be opt-in or opt-out? - Telegraph
Should organ donation after death be opt-in or opt-out?
Posted at: 00:01
Gordon Brown has thrown his weight behind a move to allow hospitals to take organs from patients without explicit consent.
Writing in The Sunday Telegraph, the Prime Minister says that such a facility would save thousands of lives and that he hopes such a system can start this year.
The proposals would mean consent for organ donation after death would be automatically presumed, unless individuals had opted out of the national register or family members objected.
Should organ donation after death be opt-in or opt-out?
Posted at: 00:01
Gordon Brown has thrown his weight behind a move to allow hospitals to take organs from patients without explicit consent.
Writing in The Sunday Telegraph, the Prime Minister says that such a facility would save thousands of lives and that he hopes such a system can start this year.
The proposals would mean consent for organ donation after death would be automatically presumed, unless individuals had opted out of the national register or family members objected.
Body Art Delivers Hard-Hitting Message About Shortage Of Donated Organs, UK
Body Art Delivers Hard-Hitting Message About Shortage Of Donated Organs, UK
The shortage of donated organs for transplants is to be highlighted in a national press advertising campaign featuring eye-catching body art.
The images feature a male and female model with a picture of a heart painted on their bodies under the message: 'You've got what it takes to save a life'.
While the heart symbolises kindness and giving, the underlying message focuses on the need for all types of organ transplant which rely mainly on the generosity of an anonymous stranger to offer the gift of life. As well as the heart, people can agree to donate their kidneys, liver, lungs, pancreas and tissue for transplantation.
The shortage of donated organs for transplants is to be highlighted in a national press advertising campaign featuring eye-catching body art.
The images feature a male and female model with a picture of a heart painted on their bodies under the message: 'You've got what it takes to save a life'.
While the heart symbolises kindness and giving, the underlying message focuses on the need for all types of organ transplant which rely mainly on the generosity of an anonymous stranger to offer the gift of life. As well as the heart, people can agree to donate their kidneys, liver, lungs, pancreas and tissue for transplantation.
Friday, February 8, 2008
A Cancer patient's fight for life could be taken to court.Jocelyn Hall suffers from kidney cancer.Medical experts decided his best chance of life was with the drug Sutent - which...
A Cancer patient's fight for life could be taken to court.Jocelyn Hall suffers from kidney cancer.Medical experts decided his best chance of life was with the drug Sutent - which...: "LEGAL FIGHT FOR LIFE?
Be the first reader to comment on this story
09:00 - 04 February 2008
A Cancer patient's fight for life could be taken to court.Jocelyn Hall suffers from kidney cancer.
Medical experts decided his best chance of life was with the drug Sutent - which costs around £30,000 a year per patient.
But despite appeals, Neath Port Talbot Local Health Board decided last week to deny him the drug.
Mr Hall's sister Rosie Snow, who has been fighting his case said: 'He's at a very low ebb at the moment.
'The LHB's decision absolutely took the wind out of our sails.
'Sutent is the only thing that will work for him. We are devastated.'"
Be the first reader to comment on this story
09:00 - 04 February 2008
A Cancer patient's fight for life could be taken to court.Jocelyn Hall suffers from kidney cancer.
Medical experts decided his best chance of life was with the drug Sutent - which costs around £30,000 a year per patient.
But despite appeals, Neath Port Talbot Local Health Board decided last week to deny him the drug.
Mr Hall's sister Rosie Snow, who has been fighting his case said: 'He's at a very low ebb at the moment.
'The LHB's decision absolutely took the wind out of our sails.
'Sutent is the only thing that will work for him. We are devastated.'"
Study reinforces kidney disease-blindness link - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Study reinforces kidney disease-blindness link - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation): "Study reinforces kidney disease-blindness link
Posted Thu Feb 7, 2008 9:05pm AEDT
New research from Kidney Health Australia has reinforced a link between kidney disease and blindness.
A spokesman for the group says the five-year study looked at more than 1,000 people over the age of 54 in the Blue Mountains in New South Wales."
Posted Thu Feb 7, 2008 9:05pm AEDT
New research from Kidney Health Australia has reinforced a link between kidney disease and blindness.
A spokesman for the group says the five-year study looked at more than 1,000 people over the age of 54 in the Blue Mountains in New South Wales."
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