Health Minister launches scheme to protect kidneys by early diagnosis

COIMBATORE: Health Minister Ma Subramanian on Monday launched a scheme for early diagnosis and prevention of kidney ailments in the state.

Launching the scheme, ‘Siruneeragam kakkum seermigu maruthuva thittam’ (medical scheme to protect kidneys) for the first time in a Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Kadayampatti in Salem, Minister Subramanian said the scheme will be operational in 8,213 health sub centres (HSC), 2,286 primary health centres (PHC) and urban primary health centres (UPHC).

“Rs 2 crore worth medical kits to diagnose the functioning of kidneys are being distributed in all PHCs’ and HSCs’ across the state. Chronic kidney disease, cardiac arrest and cancer have become the most life threatening diseases, not only in Tamil Nadu, but globally. Therefore, the state government has been taking initiatives to prevent, as well as protect people from these ailments,” he said.

Claiming that it will be easy to cure kidney ailment, if diagnosed at an early stage itself, Subramanian said in advanced stages the kidneys become defunct, necessitating dialysis and organ transplants. “There are many waiting for kidney transplantation in the state,” he said.

Earlier, while participating in the graduation ceremony of Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College, Minister Subramanian said efforts would be taken to open new medical colleges in six districts of Tenkasi, Mayiladuthurai, Ranipet, Tirupattur, Perambalur and Kancheepuram. He also said that 1.54 crore people have benefited out of ‘Makkalai thedi maruthuvam’ scheme in Tamil Nadu.

As part of the ‘health walk’ scheme to promote walking among the public, the Health Minister inspected the walking track for eight kilometers by walking through the entire distance in Salem district on Monday.