The Hindu : New Delhi News : Bid to promote peritoneal dialysis

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, May 10, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Bid to promote peritoneal dialysis

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, MAY 9. Considered the father of Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD), Dr. Oreopoulos, who has been working in the area of nephrology since 1969, was in the Capital recently hoping to "strike a meaningful dialogue'' with doctors working in the same area.

And more than meaningful conversation, what Dr. Oreopoulos hopes to initiate is mass education about the CAPD process and encourage the use of his technology alongside other available dialysis procedures. Explaining what CAPD process is all about, Dr. Oreopoulos said: "In the procedure there is this thin plastic membrane called a peritoneum that lines the abdomen. This membrane also covers the organs that fit within the abdominal cavity like the stomach and liver. It is semi-permeable, which means it only lets certain things pass through it. CAPD uses this membrane to filter the blood during dialysis and can be used as a complementary procedure to the available techniques.''

And while the doctor promises advancements in the technology with a more neutral water base, which would provide a longer lasting membrane and be more comfortable to the user, Dr. Oreopoulos' technology offers greater quality of life and better mobility.

CAPD is a self-type dialysis and is done seven days a week, four to five exchanges each day without the use of a machine, thus enabling the user to enjoy a more active lifestyle.

"India, much like other countries in the world, is facing shortage of donors and we are looking for `emotionally attached' donors and also trying to educate people about donating organs. But world over there is a shortage of kidney. Also in India as I see people have to understand that kidney problem is not an isolated ailment and is invariably connected to heart problems, high blood pressure and diabetics. Doctors need to understand that people need to be tested for kidney problem even if there are no symptoms,'' explained Dr. Oreopoulos.

He also stressed the fact that it was only a balanced food habit and healthy lifestyle that could aid in the control of kidney problems. Also, the patients should be open to all available treatment that is aimed at improving the quality of life.

Speaking about problems that are typical to the country, Dr. Oreopoulos said, "while India has some of the finest doctors in the world, the pressure on them is very high. The population that they have to manage and the low economic capacity of the patients can prove to be a stumbling block; it is not uncommon to see people quitting treatment midway. But we believe that through education and awareness programmes things would improve.''

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

New Delhi