Category: Media Coverage

Mumbai Kidney Foundation’s mission statement is “Sharing The Burden”. To this end, we are initiating three projects to provide aid to those affected by COVID-19.

Breath A Life

With an increase in COVID cases, we noticed that many people require oxygen either before they get access to a hospital or post-hospitalization when they are at home under COVID care. Providing oxygen concentrators for such people can help ensure that they can get the necessary treatment at home. We want to be able to provide oxygen concentrator services for such people so that they can decrease their hospital stay and care for themselves at home.
If you know someone who requires an oxygen concentrator, please connect them with us. You can SMS/Whatsapp us on 9892008228/9820767272/ 7666674011/9930746030

Requirement: A doctor’s prescription for home oxygen.

Mumbai Kidney Foundation’s mission statement is “Sharing The Burden”. To this end, we are initiating three projects to provide aid to those affected by COVID-19.

Care To Teach

Amidst the heart-shattering statistics and the tear-jerking news reports, it is the younger, innocent ones who had the stars in their eyes dimmed. Because of the massive impact of COVID-19 this year, the breadwinners and caregivers of many families were lost. What followed was a loss of childhood when the children had to step up to take care of their families. They had to give up on education to fulfill various duties in and around the house because of a lack of funds.

Our aim is to provide funding to these children to help them get educated and have a better future. Mumbai Kidney Foundation invites you to join this cause and do your bit towards society.

We plan to reach out to children who have lost access to education due to the loss of a parent who was the primary breadwinner for the family and we are raising money for their education. Each child (could be studying in any grade from 1 to 12) will be funded for at least two years by us. Not only their school fees, but also their uniforms, books, stationary, other miscellaneous fees, and anything else they need for having a well-rounded education will be taken care of. If a student needs any electronic devices like tablets/laptops/smartphones because of the online mode, the same will also be arranged. We will also make sure that these funds reach the right people and are used for the right purposes. You can help by donating funds which boosts our strength to help. You can also popularize our message and help us reach more people who are willing to donate. Even the smallest contribution can make a big difference.

If you know about any such children requiring help, please contact us with the following details :
1) An application form with details of all the family members including their name, age, address, contact number, name of the school, standard in which the child is studying, and the school fees.
2) A copy of the child’s Aadhaar card and ration card
3) A copy of the death certificate of the parent lost to Covid
4) Copy of electricity bill of the child’s residence
You can send the above information on WhatsApp at: 9821112487 / 9930746030 or mail us at mumbaikidneyfoundation@gmail.com.

March 8th, 2018 is observed as World Kidney Day. The theme for World Kidney Day 2018 is ‘Kidney Disease and Women’s Health aligned with International Women’.

Kidney disease reduces the ability of the organ to remove, metabolic waste products and extra water out of your blood and thus cause water and electrolyte imbalance in the body. Other functions of kidney such as blood pressure regulation, biological activation of vitamin D and stimulation of red blood cell production are impaired in patients with kidney disease. According to the research by National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, women are more prone to suffer from long-term kidney disease. Awareness about kidney related diseases is abysmally low in India, especially among women. It is this ignorance coupled with inaccessible healthcare education that leads to the disease being diagnosed at advanced stages among the women population. Furthermore, in most cases, women tend to procrastinate, when it comes to getting tested which adds to the problem.

Dr Bhavesh Vora, Senior Nephrologist at Asian Heart Institute, Breach Candy and Sushrut Hospital, Mumbai & Treasurer, Amar Gandhi Foundation says, one such risk factor that most women are unaware is the fact that high blood pressure can put you at risk of kidney disease. The risk is increased further during pregnancy. Urine test at the time of pregnancy along with antenatal care can help diagnose the condition at an early stage and prevent kidney disease. An increase in the blood pressure during pregnancy, known as pre-eclampsia or pregnancy-induced high blood pressure, is commonly seen in young women these days. This is a cause of concern for young mothers as it can put the pressure on the kidneys. Moreover, high blood pressure during pregnancy can not only lead to complications during delivery but also put you at risk of kidney disease at a later stage of life. Hence, every pregnant woman should check her blood pressure during pregnancy and also follow up about changes in blood pressure after delivery to detect kidney problems at an early stage, if any. Also read Amar Gandhi Foundation, to launch “ek chammach kam”, a campaign to limit salt intake.

Online Link:-

Mumbai, March 22 (IANS) Filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra and spiritual leader and Art of living Founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar have joined a campaign to raise awareness about high salt consumption by Indians and its adverse effect on the kidneys.

The campaign, #EkChammachKam, is spearheaded by Bhupendra Gandhi’s Amar Gandhi Foundation, and supported by the Mumbai Kidney Foundation.

Expressing his support, Mehra said in a statement: “#EkChammachKam of salt intake is simple and self-explanatory. It is well known that too much sodium in a person’s diet can be harmful. It causes blood to hold fluid, and this in turn raises blood pressure and puts a strain on the heart as well.”

Over 150 nephrologists in Mumbai have given a clarion call, “ek chammach kam” (One spoon less), to highlight the high salt intake among the Indian population.

Ramakanta Panda of the Asian Heart Institute, Jalaj Dani CEO Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, Ramen Goel, Director, Center of Bariatric&Metabolic Surgery, Wockhardt Group of Hospitals, Ravindra Karanjekar, Corporate CEO, Jupiter Hospital, and several other senior members of the medical fraternity have also lent support to the campaign.

“Chronic kidney disease is a silent killer. It usually has no significant symptoms until it has reached later stages where a patient is not left with many choices of treatment,” Bhupendra Gandhi said.

Online Link:-

Regulating salt consumption is key to prevent hypertension, which is associated with an increased risk of heart disease, heart attack, stroke and heart failure, say experts. According to World Health Organization (WHO), adults should reduce consumption of sodium to less than 2 grams a day, or the equivalent of about one teaspoon of table salt to reduce the risk of heart disease.

Hypertension is a condition in which the blood vessels have persistently raised pressure. Hypertension is also referred to as high or raised blood pressure. Hypertension can also affect fertility in both males and females, says Rajalaxmi Walavalkar of Cocoon Fertility. Hypertension not only affects fertility but also is also known to cause trouble sleeping. Trouble sleeping leads to signs of premature ageing, like fine lines, uneven pigmentation and reduced elasticity.

“Hypertension can lead to cardiovascular diseases. The rise in blood pressure caused by eating too much salt may damage the arteries leading to the heart,” Vijay D’Silva, Director at the Asian Heart Institute, said in statement.

According to a recent study, published in the journal Hypertension, about half of adults living in Asia are suffering from the high blood pressure.

While lifestyle factors, including diet and stress, are behind the high hypertension rates in Asia, one common problem is high salt intake, the study showed.
Asians not only tend to have diets high in sodium, but they are genetically more sensitive to sodium, the researchers said.

“Raised blood pressure due to high salt consumption is the biggest single contributing risk factor for non-communicable diseases and damage to your kidney,” explained Bhupendra Gandhi of the NGO Amar Gandhi Foundation.

Previously, it was believed that eating high amounts of fruit and vegetables might help counteract the effect of high salt on blood pressure.

However, another study led by researchers from the Imperial College London and Northwestern University, showed that people eating higher amounts of salt had higher blood pressure — no matter how healthy a person’s overall diet.

“Anyone with hypertension is at an increased risk of infertility. A high salt diet leading to high blood pressure can result in delayed puberty and even impact reproductive health,” Walavalkar noted.

Besides affecting the heart and fertility, hypertension can affect the skin too, the health experts said.

“High blood pressure can harden your arteries, which decreases the flow of blood and oxygen. An impairment of the flow of oxygen, to an organ such as your face, can cause your skin to dry and wrinkles faster which can make one look less youthful,” said Amit Karkhanis – Medical Cosmetologist and founder of Dr Tvacha clinic.

Reducing salt consumption in everyday life, cutting down on fried foods and processed foods, can not only curb the problem of hypertension but also save multiple organs from damage and pave way for a healthy life.

Also read:-

Mumbai: MCGM, Public Health Department, jointly with Amar Gandhi Foundation is launching a campaign ‘EkChammachKam’ for creating awareness about non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

MCGM has invited noted actor and film director Farhan Akhtar to be the face of first-of-its-kind initiative, and he is leading the charge on this very high impact public health campaign.

MCGM will take 50+ bus-shelters, hoardings and railway station boards to promote the campaign across Mumbai city,” said Ajoy Mehta, Hon Municipal Commissioner, MCGM. He added, ‘EkChammachKam’ campaign aims at making people aware about the grave nature of non-communicable diseases and the importance of dietary changes and exercise in one’s daily life. Additional Municipal Commissioner, I A Kundan, said “Non communicable diseases are the major killer and needs to be addressed”.

So what is ‘EkChammachKam’?

Due to current fast paced lifestyle and faulty food habits, almost everyone is at risk of NCDs. Raised blood pressure, obesity, high blood sugars are commonly seen now even in younger ages.

Citing the World Health Organisation’s report on NCDs, Farhan Akhtar, who is personally known to be devoted to physical fitness says,” Nearly 61 percent of deaths in India are now attributed to non-communicable diseases. Out of these, cardiovascular diseases (coronary heart disease, stroke, and hypertension) contribute to 45 per cent, followed by chronic respiratory disease (22 per cent), cancer (12 per cent) and diabetes (3 per cent). All of these are preventable if we reduce the intake of salt, sugar and oil from our diet, and maintain an active lifestyle.”

Dr. Bhupendra Gandhi of the Amar Gandhi Foundation says, “Have #EkChammachKam of salt, sugar and oil every day”, and this is simple and self-explanatory. For e.g; it is well known that too much sodium in a person’s diet can be harmful. It causes blood to hold fluid, and this in turn raises blood pressure and puts a strain on the heart as well”.

EkChammachKam was originally a campaign developed by ‘The Network’ for a not-for profit called ‘Amar Gandhi Foundation’.

Speaking about the thought behind it, Reeta Gupta, Founder, The Network says, “Slogans have to be both measurable and memorable. EkChammachKam converts a very sharp message, packaged in a very tiny slogan. Take heed, and reduce the salt, sugar and oil consumption from your diet. Begin today”.

With ‘MCGMs’ involvement, this is now a city-wide clarion call to battle non-communicable diseases.

TV Coverage:-

Online Links