U.S. Non-Profit Brings Life-Saving Dialysis Treatment to India
July 09 2008 - 12:05PM
PR Newswire (US)
Bridge of Life - DaVita Medical Missions Reaches Out to Patients in
Need of Care Worldwide EL SEGUNDO, Calif., July 9 /PRNewswire/ --
Bridge of Life - DaVita Medical Missions(TM), a non-profit
organization founded by DaVita Inc. that focuses on bringing
life-saving dialysis to developing countries, officially opened the
doors to its newest dialysis clinic in India in late June. The new
clinic is located in the Mishirmal Bafnal Parmarath Hospital and is
the first of two clinics that Bridge of Life - DaVita Medical
Mission's partner, International Health Benefit Services, plans to
open in India this summer with the support of the non-profit. The
dialysis clinic will treat kidney patients at a minimal cost,
bringing much-needed relief to the region's government hospitals.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020729/DAVITALOGO)
Chronic kidney disease affects 1 million people in India, with an
additional 7.5 million people at risk for developing renal failure.
Yet lifesaving dialysis treatments are generally unavailable in
India. Bridge of Life - DaVita Medical Mission's new clinic will
provide these services to local residents. "Kidney disease is a
huge problem in India and this clinic will provide quality dialysis
[to masses at large] [to patients], both in terms of adequacy and
improved sanitation, including optimal pre-treated water for
treatment," said Dr. Manish Chaturvedy. "Along with these health
improvements, the new clinic also brings a constant source of
inspiration to all of us working together as a team in caring for
the patients with renal failure." In partnership with several
health care providers and local physicians, Bridge of Life - DaVita
Medical Missions also held a "Renal Awareness Camp" in Jodhpur on
April 27 and provided free health care screenings, early detection
and education materials on kidney disease and kidney failure to
more than 150 local residents. Bridge of Life - DaVita Medical
Mission translated many of the kidney care resources available in
the U.S. and customized them for the Indian diet, lifestyle and
culture -- thus providing a comprehensive toolkit to ensure the
people of Jodhpur are better educated on end stage renal disease
and chronic kidney disease (CKD). "It is amazing to me that in such
a short period of time so many wonderful resources have been made
available and so many generous people have stepped forward to
volunteer their time," said Ginny Mello, Executive Director for the
Bridge of Life-DaVita Medical Missions program. "Bridge of Life is
committed to working with the local physicians and team to support
efforts that will help identify and treat diseases that contribute
to the need for dialysis in India." The Jodhpur clinic is one of
four the Bridge of Life - DaVita Medical Missions has opened in
underserved communities outside the United States to help care for
those suffering from kidney disease and kidney failure. Partnership
opportunities are continuing to grow throughout Central and South
America, India, Pakistan, the Philippines and Sri Lanka. Bridge of
Life's main sponsor, DaVita, is one of the leading providers of
kidney care services in the United States and has been partnering
with local entities around the world to help bring much needed
assistance to impoverished communities. DaVita has provided
technical support, equipment, supplies, training and thousands of
teammate hours. As part of DaVita's commitment to building a
healthy, caring community, DaVita develops, participates in and
donates to numerous programs dedicated to transforming communities
and creating positive, sustainable change for children, families
and our environment. About DaVita Inc. DaVita Inc., a FORTUNE
500(R) company, is a leading provider of kidney care in the United
States, providing dialysis services and education for patients with
chronic kidney failure and end stage renal disease. DaVita manages
more than 1,300 outpatient facilities and acute units in more than
700 hospitals located in 43 states and the District of Columbia,
serving approximately 107,000 patients. For more information about
DaVita, its kidney education programs and its community programs,
please visit http://www.davita.com/. About Bridge of Life - DaVita
Medical Missions Bridge of Life - DaVita Medical Missions, a
pending 501(c)(3) non-profit founded by DaVita, focuses on efforts
to improve the quality of life for those in underserved communities
both locally and throughout the world. Bridge of Life - DaVita
Medical Missions in partnership with DaVita teammates establishes
dialysis facilities, trains local staff, pre-screens local
residents for chronic kidney disease (CKD) and works with local
hospitals in underserved countries to provide quality dialysis
assistance. For more information on Bridge of Life-DaVita Medical
Missions' programs, please visit http://www.bridgeoflifemm.org/.
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020729/DAVITALOGO
http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: DaVita Inc. CONTACT: Ginny
Mello, +1-310-251-0850, or Kelsey Rood, +1-310-536-2404, both of
DaVita Inc. Web site: http://www.davita.com/
http://www.bridgeoflifemm.org/
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