Free health package for kidney patients

by Carol Aloysius

The Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital will conduct its first “all under one roof” clinic for kidney patients at the hospital’s lobby on March 13 to check the spread of kidney disease islandwide.

“The new service will be launched to mark World Kidney Day on March 13. Our aim is to prevent kidney disease through early detection, thus saving lives and cutting down heavy government expenditure on treating advanced kidney patients”, Consultant Nephrologist at the Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital, Dr. Chintana Galahitiyawa told the Sunday Observer.

He said the idea of the free health check was to detect kidney disease in people who have not been diagnosed as having it. Kidney disease carries life threatening risks. If we can detect a kidney patient early we could prevent him/her developing complications later”. The clinic which will be held from 8.30 a.m - 12.30 p.m, will conduct free tests. “Those who attend it, will have their blood and urine tested, and have a thorough physical examination including Body Mass Index measurements. If they have a problem, they will be given lifetime modifications and dietary advice if necessary”, Dr Galahitiyawa said.

The tests would be done by qualified medical personnel including nephrologists at the hospital, and the patient’s final blood test report would be released within two hours.