KIdney patients and caregivers in Gurgaon, Haryana, are taking part in the activities of a support group called "Utsaah", which is a dedicated initiative for their welfare.
Every month, multi-specialty healthcare provider Paras Hospitals makes an effort to give support not only to kidney patients, but also to caregivers.
This month, kidney patients and caregivers took part in a discussion about the diet such patients should have. They also attended a spiritual talk conducted by by Dr. Ravi Sahuta , Senior Consultant, Orthopedics.
"With increasing life expectancy and prevalence of lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and others, the prevalence of chronic kidney disease is also on the rise. Resultantly, there is an alarming rise in the number of kidney failure patients. When diagnosed with a kidney problem, people not only got shattered but also clueless about the next step to be taken. Therefore, with Utsaah we intend to provide a haven where kidney patients and the care givers can gather to share common problems and experiences associated with a particular problem, condition, illness, or personal circumstance," said Dr. P N Gupta, Chief of Nephrology, Paras Hospitals, Gurgaon.
"Utsaah" revolves around the concept of bringing together people who are suffering with kidney disease and have nobody to share their resulting pain and agony with.
The group is formed by people who are directly affected by kidney disease. In the group, the associated patients and caregivers would act as role models for each other. Likewise, interaction with people who are contending with the same adversity but making progress in their lives can be inspiring and encouraging.
"There is lot of pain and agony within the patient suffering from kidney disease. While many seek professional help to resolve their queries and doubts, the doctors and consultant are not able to provide them the required comfort. Hence, these groups help in forming an emotional connect. I m happy to be associated with Utsaah as it is an initiative to help kidney patients and care givers create a unique emotional identification that is different from the type of support given by professionals," said Dr.Sahuta.
With 150 previous patients who have undergone the dialysis phase, as a part of the support group, Paras Hospitals, Gurgaon aims to provide care and support to such patients by discussing their pains, sufferings, cribbing and agony due to the problems. The support group would work to encourage such patients filling them with hope and faith and drive them towards normalcy of life.
"Kidney diseases are very painful. In such a scenario, when a patient is coping with the struggle and pain, he often feels isolated and stigmatized. Therefore, with this group we aim to provide a platform where members would be like family and would help each other to cope up with their situation. Many a times talking to a counselor or doctor can be intimidating for some people, hence in the group, since the members are either patient or caregivers, it would make people feel much more comfortable opening up about their problems. Utsaah would empower such people to work to solve their own problems. It would be a resort for someone who needs to talk about intensely personal issues, experiences, struggles, and thoughts he/she undergoes during treatment. Talking to others in this group would reduce anxiety, improves self-esteem, and help patients/caregivers sense of well-being overall," added Dr.Gupta.
"With the change in lifestyle, people are exposed to the risk of kidney disease at very early age. besides adult, many children are also suffering from kidney disease. While coping with kidney disease and its treatment is tough for the adult, the pain to the children become unthinkable. The main purpose Utsaah is to bring together the kidney patients and caregivers so that they can reduce each others' suffering by sharing and caring. In this regard, we have planned certain activities that would help members of the group to gel with more ease. Activities such as birthday celebrations, celebration of triumphs and victories of group members, visiting other such support group, featuring members who have had unusual experience and others would help the members to come close to each other," said Ms. Rashi Chahal , Chief Dietician
Currently, lack of awareness about the kidney diseases has affected millions of people worldwide, including many children who may be at risk of kidney disease at an early age. The group would work to bring out the inner fears and anxiety of kidney patients/caregivers by asking them to share their personal strength, ability, talent and their experience that they went through with the disease. The members would also encourage the people to share their personal writings such as poems, stories and others to break the ice between each other.
