Thane Health Welfare Circle

A team from Mumbai and Thane began work to form the Thane Circle. ReetuParna, Anant Anekar, Mansi Anekar worked actively to ensure this new association could achieve its goals.
MOHAN Foundation’s Jaya Jairam joined hands so more awareness and organ donation programmes could be effectively carried on.

Working towards common goals!

This  new initiative from Kidney Warriors Foundation aimed to bring together all Nephrologists, Diabetologists, Cardiologists, Gynecologists, General Physicians and Family doctors to address the growing burden of diseases like obesity, diabetes and hypertension. “Thane Health Welfare Circle” was formed to improve management of diabetes and hypertension for better Kidney Health.

A new module, “Kidney Health for All”, was launched at a consensus meeting held at Satkar Residency Hotel on Sunday, 9th June for Thane residents. Nephrologists, Dr Niwrutti Hase, Dr Vaibhav Keskar, Dr Mukesh Shete, Dr Pooja Binani and Dr Divya Bajpai (Thane resident) along with diabetologist Dr Snehal Tanna, cardiologists Dr G Manoj and Dr Ameya Chauhan, Family Physician Dr Ashok Tiwari and Thane Municipal Corporation’s City Program Manager, Dr Priyanka P Mali joined the meeting.

 
A follow-up meeting will be held in July when we expect more doctors to lend their time and expertise. This drive will help residents to understand health management better.

Kidney is a very special organ as it keeps the body free of toxins, makes and regulates hormones so our blood pressure is maintained, produces red blood cells, and maintains right fluid balance for maintaining health as well. When the kidney gets affected it could also impact other organs, including the heart.

Many people stay in fear of kidney disease. They simply need to take important learnings:

•   Manage blood pressure by reducing salt intake
•   Control blood sugar levels by increasing protein portions in their diet and avoiding sugar
•   Exercise enough to remain healthy
   
  Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is the 9th cause of death due to non-communicable disease which is largely driven by diabetes and hypertension. Early detection at Stage 1-2 can be better managed, which involves closer monitoring of BP and blood sugar. What was earlier a disease of the elderly, whose reduced kidney function was age-related, is now a disease among young adults as well.
   
  The time to act is never too early for managing health.
   
  Spreading Awareness in Schools:

The talks in schools were specially designed to engage the audience effectively. Parents received information on the following aspects that could guide them in parenting better through early intervention.
Kids with bedwetting to get a doctor’s advice when the events were regular after age four
Habits of holding back urine/ delayed urination and its harmful effects
Urinary tract infections and managing them
Hydration in summers and winters
Value of proper diet by eating fresh, home cooked meals, while avoiding foods with high salt, sugar and fats from the packaged foods category
Setting up exercise goals
Signs to watch out for
If kids are facing repeated infections and illness, attend promptly with blood tests, urine tests and checking blood pressure 

Students were briefed about the kidney functions and made aware of all points covered in the parents’ talk, but encouraged to do small research projects on kidneys’ functions and a little about kidney failure.

In the next stage, the students will display their research as a science project to disseminate their findings for other students to understand.

Currently three schools have benefitted from the talks.