Dr K S Nayak; Organising Chairman of the Congress of the International Society of Blood Purification and President Elect of the Society,
Dr Hideki Kawanishi from Japan and President of the Society,
Dr Rasheed Balogun from USA and Secretary of the Society
Dr Andre Kaplan, Treasurer of the Society,
and dear delegates and distinguished ladies and gentlemen,
It is my pleasure to be amongst such accomplished experts who have come from all over the world to attend this 37th Congress of the International Society of Blood Purification being held here today onwards.
I understand that this Conference is being held for the first time in this part of the World and it is a matter of great pride to Hyderabad City and the State of Telangana. In this context, I congratulate Dr K S Nayak who has accomplished this task.
Many of you probably know that I am myself a doctor turned into public service, and this is one of my first public assignments as Governor of the State of Telangana, which allows me to be among you all, belonging to our medical fraternity.
India is on the cusp of adopting the newest in new treatments for blood purification for renal and non- renal indications, and this will be a rare opportunity for the Indian nephrologists and critical care practitioners to learn, interact and make acquaintances with World leaders who have practical experience in these therapies.
Intensive Care Nephrology has come of age in India and working as a team with the Intensivists will help us elevate our standard of care to World class levels.
The Worldwide faculty of more than 30 eminent experts along with our Indian key opinion leaders who are participating in this important event will make for a formidable scientific programme.
The Peritoneal Dialysis Society of India, which is being organised between 20th and 21st September immediately after this Conference is a perfect foil and will have both International and National faculty to address the latest issues of this home treatment for end stage renal disease.
With multiple ‘cutting edge’ plenaries and best abstract awards, we could expect a veritable feast of scientific extravaganza at this milestone Congress.
I strongly believe this conference would enhance the knowledge of the practising nephrologists and critical care physicians in imparting the latest techniques in the management of the critically ill renal failure patient.
India has only 1500 qualified nephrologists for a country of 1.35 billion people, we need at least about 20,000 nephrologists. I was told the prevalence of end stage renal disease in India is estimated to be between 151 and 232 per million populations. The health care systems cannot meet the growing need for renal replacement therapy/dialysis.
But, I was told, ever since the local manufacturing has been introduced in India, the price of Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) has significantly declined and is now cheaper than Haemodialysis (HD).
Please understand most of the patients cannot sustain the high cost and default within few months of start of therapy. As such I humbly appeal to the expert doctors assembled here, apart from treating kidney disease, the experts will deliberate on how to address these issues and make treatment more affordable.
Treatments to delay onset of the need for dialysis especially diabetics are being implemented and home treatment of kidney failure are to be popularised. I also request the distinguished experts to deliberate active measures to be taken up to train more number of nephrologists, prevention of the disease, in addition to newer treatments at reduced costs.
Hope and believe this 37th Congress of the International Society of Blood Purification would deliver excellent healthcare for the common man at affordable costs and stress on measures to prevent kidney disease.
Hyderabad is a perfect melting pot for diverse cultures and is a tourist’s hotspot of the country. The weather in September is pleasant and the organizing committee will make all the best efforts to make your stay in Hyderabad an enjoyable academic experience with the renowned Telangana hospitality.
I wish the Conference all success and I am sure your stay in the historic city of Hyderabad will be memorable both in academics and visiting the many tourist attractions of this 430 year old city.
Jai Hind!