‘Kidney care at low cost’

Considering the risk factor of kidney-related diseases and to increase capacity for providing proper treatment to patients, a two-day conference on nephrology will be held in the capital.

The international seminar will be held on November 29-30, with the theme -- “Quality renal care at an affordable cost”.

Prof Brig Gen (retd) Mamun Mostafi, chairman of the conference organising committee, made the announcement at a press conference at Gonoshasthaya Nagar Hospital yesterday.

They are holding the seminar to introduce modern treatment facilities at an affordable cost to people from all walks of life, he said.

Prof Mostafi said over 300 participants including kidney experts from home and abroad will take part in the event. Gonoshasthaya hospital and Bangladesh Renal Association will arrange the conference, the first of its kind, at the hospital.

Speaking at the event, Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury said around 45,000 people develop kidney failure in the country every year.

He said they are providing global standard dialysis at cheaper cost in their hospital. Kidney transplantation is a better alternative to dialysis, he added.

Prof Mostafi mentioned around 18 percent people in the country have been suffering from kidney-related diseases, but many have no idea about it.

He said over 40,000 people develop kidney failure every year but only 10 percent of them can take dialysis due to lack of affordability. Gonoshasthaya hospital is supporting people by providing them with free dialysis or at low cost.

Prof Mostafi said they are also going to introduce kidney transplant facilities in the hospital from next year. It is important to amend the related law in this regard, he added.