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Guntur/Chandigarh, October 21, 2022:
Granules India Ltd. (GIL) and Rotary Club of Hyderabad Deccan, today announced the inauguration of a community-based dialysis centre under the name of “Dr Chigurupati Nageswara Rao Rotary Dialysis Centre” at St Joseph’s General Hospital, Guntur. The centre was inaugurated by Dr GN Rao, ophthalmologist and the founder of L. V. Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad along with Dr Krishna Prasad Chigurupati, Chairman and Managing Director and Mrs Uma Devi Chigurupati, Executive Director of Granules India.
The Dialysis Centre will provide affordable dialysis services to needy patients of Guntur, Prakasam Districts in Andhra Pradesh and border areas of Nalgonda, Miryalaguda of Telangana. The centre will be managed by the St Joseph Hospital with the support of Red Cross Society, Guntur.
Dr GN Rao said, The Economist in one of its recent issues said, we live in a fragile world, because of climate control, energy and economic crisis, over hundred countries around the world being in a desperate situation, nearly 2 bn people are starving in the world off which one fourth are in India, pandemics, with more expected, all these and more which is the current global situation. In such circumstances we need to bravely and with determination face several crisis.
Dr Krishna Prasad Chigurupati said, it’s a great day and it’s like home coming to me today. I am becoming nostalgic about my childhood days, till 22 years of age grew up in Guntur, after that I don’t think I ever came for more than ten days to this place. I was recollecting this campus every inch of it and can remember where my classroom was, I studied here from LKG to 2nd class, before I was kidnapped because it was a girls school. I still remember that I used to go to the church very often, take the holy water and we also used to play in the playground next to it, today as I walked in I realised that the playground was no longer there and a building has come up in its place, that takes away my memories. My father also used to operate here, those are great memories, it’s an honour to be here, associated with this institute.
Uma Devi Chigurupati said, I am happy that today everyone, especially the youth, wants to give back to the society some way or the other. Rotary is one of the oldest organisations doing good to the world and appreciate their contribution to the society, more organisations should emulate them. Dr GN Rao is known for his dedication, determination and selfless service and people like him give the impetus to donors to come forward and contribute for society’s well-being.
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is the most common kidney-related ailment and involves the gradual irreversible loss of kidney function over the years. It is the 8th most common cause of death in India. CKD has reached a record high and epidemic proportions, particularly in Palanadu and Chimakurthy areas.
The patients suffering from Kidney ailments from Palanadu region visit Guntur city by travelling at least 100 km for the treatment and must wait for their turn since the bed strength of the existing dialysis units is limited. The bed strength in Government hospitals can cater to limited patients from Macherla, Vinukonda and Chimakurthi.
The Dialysis centre is opened in commemoration of Dr Chigurupati Nageswara Rao, the first Chairman of GIL. He was a multi-faceted surgeon; his specialties included gastroenterology, and urology. He was an active member of the medical fraternity and served as the Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh State Medical Council for 13 years until his retirement in 2007. Dr Nageswara Rao also served as a member of the Medical Council of India and led several studies to improve healthcare in the country. Dr Nageswara Rao was an honorary surgeon at Guntur Medical College where he taught surgery and served as a mentor to many physicians who continue to practice throughout the country.
The Dialysis centre will aid the poverty-stricken population of Guntur, Palanadu region having CKD. Guntur has a daily footfall of over 400 patients approaching the dialysis centres to take the necessary procedure. The cost involved in setting up these dialysis units is Rs. 2.1 crores of which Granules India contributed Rs. 65 Lakhs, Red Cross Society contributed Rs. 45 Lakhs and Rotary led by Rotary Club of Hyderabad Deccan and other philanthropists contributed Rs. 1 Crore.
GIL’s corporate social responsibility is focused on projects related to livelihood enhancement through skill development, promoting preventive health care etc., and has spent over Rs. 9.12 crore in FY 21-22. In the past, GIL partnered with Sahrudaya Health, Medical and Educational Trust and sponsored Open Heart Surgeries for patients who were unable to afford the costly medical and surgical treatment.
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