IMPHAL, April 22: Of every 100 persons who are suffering from chronic kidney problems hardly 10 persons can afford to have the treatment as 80 percent of the total population of the state are living way below the poverty line, stated Chief Minister, O. Ibobi Singh.
The Chief Minister stated this during the inaugural function of the Annual Conference of Indian Society of Nephrology East Zone 2011 held today at the Classic Hotel.
The three day long conference that will last till April 24 was jointly organised by the Nephrology Section Department of Medicine, RIMS and the Indian Society of Nephrology East Zone.
Dr. SC Das MD, DM, FRCP (London) director, Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, Dr. Om Kumar, MD, DM DNB additional professor & HOD of Nephrology IGIMS, Patna also graced the function as the guest of honour and functional president respectively.
YI Singh chairman organising committee, VK. Singh secretary Indian Society of Nephrology, Dr. N. Sarat Kumar Singh MBBS, MD, DM head, Nephrology RIMS, Dr. Th. Premchand Singh, chairman reception committee were present during the conference besides eminent nephrologists, pharmaceutical companies from all over the country.
Delivering his chief guest speech, the Chief Minister, O. Ibobi Singh, expressed his appreciation to the organising committee for organising the annual conference of the Indian Society of Nephrology, East Zone in Imphal.
He said that kidney and blood pressure have become big problems not only in Manipur but for the entire country. He observed that the reason for the high rate of kidney and Blood pressure problem was due to change in food habits and less work out.
He also claimed that people in the state are becoming more reluctant to use their physical strength adding it is evident from the growing number of vehicle during the last one year. The state has witnessed an increase of over 40 thousands number of vehicles within 2010-11. Moreover there is no decrease in traffic congestion even as the road has widened, he said.
Comparing the situation of the state with other countries, the Chief Minister revealed that during his official tour in the South Asian countries like China and Japan, he came across that it is mandatory that if a school is within the 5 km the students or staffs must walk by foot till their schools, and if beyond 5 km by cycle and then bus, train etc.
The Chief Minister further revealed that more than 80 percent of the people in Manipur are living below poverty line. And of every 100 persons having chronic kidney problem hardly 10 percent can afford the treatment.
CM. Ibobi drew the attention of the attending Nephrologists to put their endeavour by organising widespread awareness programme for the state has not much knowledge of the Nephrology or early detection of kidney disease and other related problems and help in reducing untimely deaths.
While delivering his presidential speech, VK Singh secretary of the Indian Society of Nephrology, East Zone, said that the two objectives of the society for being in Imphal is to impart academic knowledge and explore the unique culture and hospitality of Manipur.
SC Das, who also spoke during the function, said that despite rich historical, cultural background most of the people of North Eastern region are deprived of the basic amenities of medical facilities.
The chairman of the organising committee, YI Singh said that the super-speciality in Nephrology is in the developing stage in Manipur and that the state is relatively backward in medical infrastructure and that the state is trying to catch up with the rest of the country.
