Panaji: 11th march: World Kidney Day and International Women’s Day in 2018 coincide, thus offering an opportunity to reflect on the importance of women’s health and specifically their kidney health, on the community, and the next generations, as well as to strive to be more curious about the unique aspects of kidney disease in women, so that we may apply those learning more broadly.
Manipal Hospital Goa (MHG) in association with Goa Union of Journalists (GUJ) conducted a special function to commemorate KIDNEY AND WOMEN‘S HEALTH on 7th March 2018 at the hospital conference hall.
The function began with Dr Shekar Salkar, Chief of Department of Oncology at MHG welcoming the Chief Guest for the day Mrs Pallavi Dempo, Executive Director of Dempo Industries Private Limited and the other delegates. Mr Kishor Naik Goankar , President of Goa Union of Journalists [GUJ] addressing the audience from the podium expressed satisfaction that MHG is looking beyond only treating the sick and creating awareness on important health related issues and providing yeomen service to the Goan Population with high end super speciality tertiary care. He had special words of praise for Dr Shekar Salkar who conducts regular health awareness talks reaching out to distant villages. Dr Madhav Sanzgiri, Consultant Urologist was also present on the dais.
Dr Amol Mahaldar Consultant Nephrologist and Transplant Physician at Manipal Hospitals Goa, made a brief presentation on Women and Kidney disease highlighting the increasing prevalence of Kidney disease in women especially related to Hypertension and Diabetes as well as diseases complicating Pregnancy. Dr Mahaldar underscored the importance of early detection and timely access to treatment options.
Next on agenda was the felicitation of Women achievers’ beginning with Mrs Pallavi Dempo, a successful business Woman, Educationist and philanthropist felicitated by Dr Shekar Salkar. Mrs Dempo then felicitated the other prominent women professionals including senior journalist and activist Ms Jyoti Dhond and High Court Advocate Winnie Coutinho, both of whom encouraged fellow women to look after their health and adopt healthy life style. Dr Savita Sanzgiri, Consultant Anaesthesiology was felicitated for her 16 years of work in caring for over 10000 Anaesthesia for Kidney and related procedures.
The highlight of the event was the Felicitation of Women who have fought Kidney disease and come out victorious. Mrs Kiran Singbal, working woman and mother has been on Peritoneal Dialysis and enjoys life to the fullest including family vacations despite being on dialysis for over six years. Mrs Sreemathy Sarma has continued her passion for art and paintings despite doing thrice weekly dialysis since 2010, she has had a stupendous one thousand haemodialysis in the eight years since. Mrs Sarma has been on a waitlist for receiving a kidney in Chennai for more than 6 years and hoped that Manipal Hospital Goa will soon be able to have such a facility making Transplants accessible in Goa. While praying for a speedy recovery of Honourable CM Manohar Parrikar, she thanked Hon CM and Hon Health Minister for the DDSSY Scheme due to which she is able to undergo Dialysis at Manipal Hospitals Goa, but fervently appealed to both the Chief Minister and Health Minister to give solace to hundreds like her waiting for Transplant and the many new faces that she sees in the Manipal Hospital Dialysis room every week by taking necessary steps in Goa.
The last to be felicitated was the courageous Dr Hemangini Patel from Ponda who despite being a busy professional and a mother to an eight year old came forward to donate one kidney for her sister Devayani. Dr Hemagini shared her experience with the audience and also joined Mrs Sarma is hoping that Kidney Transplants and indeed all Organ Transplant will be available at Goa very soon.
The Chief Guest Mrs Pallavi Dempo personally interacted with all the Women who were felicitated. She appreciated the determination and courage shown by the women, especially the ones who have conquered Kidney ailments each on their special way. Mrs Dempo said she supports all endeavours to help the cause of women in Goa and indeed everywhere
On this special occasion Manipal Hospitals goa introduced at hands of the Chief Guest, a “Wellness Women’s Screening Package”, priced at Rs. 1,299/- which includes CBC [complete Blood count], ESR [Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate], Urine Routine Examination, Ultrasound Abdomen & Pelvis, PAP Smear, Creatinine, Gynaecology Consultation, Diet Consultation & Yoga Consultation. This package they said would be valid for the period 8th March to 30th April 2018
The Function ended with a Special Cake baked by Kennedy (a dialysis patient) cut by all the Women achievers and was followed by Lunch catered by Mr Ashwin Fernandes, another self employed Transplant patient.
