Team Goemkarponn
CANACONA: Concerned over what they describe as a sharp increase in kidney disease cases in the taluka, social activists have urged the Goa government to investigate the causes behind the trend, strengthen renal healthcare services, and establish a dedicated Kidney Unit with a full-time nephrologist at the Community Health Centre (CHC), Canacona.
Social activists Shubham Komarpant and Sunay Komarpant raised the issue after visiting the dialysis unit at CHC Canacona and interacting with patients and hospital authorities.
According to the activists, the number of dialysis patients at the CHC has increased from 99 six months ago to 114 at present. They also stated that 12 patients who were undergoing dialysis at the centre died during the same period. In addition, several residents of Canacona are receiving dialysis treatment at private hospitals and other healthcare facilities across the state.
While appreciating the quality of care and services being provided at the dialysis unit, Komarpant said the increasing number of kidney failure cases is a matter of serious concern and requires a detailed study. He noted that the only major issue observed during the visit was the non-functional lift, which hospital authorities said is under repair and is expected to become operational by September.
The activists claimed that nearly 70 per cent of the dialysis patients belong either to Scheduled Tribe communities living in interior villages such as Gaondongrim and surrounding areas or to fishing communities residing along the coastal belt. They urged the government to conduct a scientific survey to determine why renal failure cases appear to be more prevalent in these regions.
They also demanded that the Kidney Unit be developed as a separate dedicated facility to ensure better patient care and reduce inconvenience to those undergoing regular dialysis. According to Komarpant, hospital officials informed them that a proposal seeking three additional units has already been submitted to the government.
Welcoming the government’s initiative to examine family members of dialysis patients, the activists requested that the programme be continued and expanded. They further called for awareness campaigns on kidney health in vulnerable areas and appealed to Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant and Health Minister Vishwajeet Rane to appoint a full-time nephrologist at CHC Canacona and strengthen kidney care services in the region.
