Gender bias in treating renal failure leads to more deaths among women than men across the world. On an average, according to the World Health Organisation, around six lakh women die annually for want of treatment, said Rajan Ravichandran, nephrologist and chairman, Sapiens Health Foundation.
This year World Kidney Day will be observed on March 8, which is celebrated as International Day of Women. The theme is ‘Kidneys and women’s health - include, value and empower.’
Lack of treatment
At a function organised by the foundation here, he said women’s biological vulnerability to renal diseases coupled with lack of treatment and poor spousal support are the cause of death. “Women have shorter urinary tract passage and are commonly prone to urinary tract infection. The damage is greater in younger girls who get UTIs. Their kidney gets scarred, leading to renal failure later in their life,” Dr. Rajan said.
Another disease that affects young girls is Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). The disease “eats every system” and produces a red patch in the cheek, he explained. In a women with SLE, antibodies are formed in the body which damages the organs. Though the treatment had improved considerably now, a large number of girls do suffer kidney failure, Dr. Rajan said.
Despite treatment, the women might have problem in getting married later. During pregnancy, as the kidneys are taxed more, the organ deteriorates further, the specialist said.
A book on the proceedings of the salt conference held in November was released by M.M. Murugappan, chairman of the Murugappa group of companies and playwright ‘Crazy’ Mohan received the first copy.
