Even as the New Year is swiftly approaching 22-year-old Diana Williams has been given another chance to lead a vastly improved life. One year ago, that was merely a hope as the young woman and her loved ones were worried about her health.Williams who experienced weakness, shortness of breath, and swelling of the kidney was diagnosed with kidney stone at the New Amsterdam Regional Hospital, Region Six, in January 2010.Recipient of kidney Diana Williams with Dr. Rahul Jindal, George Subraj, and Co-ordinator Lake PersaudA continuously ailing Williams was later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). There it was discovered that her kidney was failing and immediate medical attention was required.As such, she was transferred to the Balwant Singh Hospital’s Kidney Clinic. There Williams and her sibling, 25-year-old Paula Williams were screened and following testing in Washington, was proven compatible for the kidney transplant.Paula who took on the mother’s role in Diana’s life after their mother died 10 years ago was confident she was her sister’s match.The Williams sisters underwent the surgeries on December 13, 2011. Both operations lasted for four hours. They are currently recuperating at the hospital. Within two weeks Paula is expected to return to her usual routine while Diana will take medications and continue lifelong follow-up.Diana is the 11th person to have benefited from overseas-based Guyanese, Philanthropist George Subraj’s generosity. Subraj played an integral role in Guyana’s first kidney transplant in 2008 at GPHC.Every three months Subraj sponsors a team of health specialists, including Dr. Rahul Jindal, Transplant Surgeon attached to the Walter Reed Medical Centre to screen persons for kidney problems and execute kidney transplants as required.Dr. Jindal during an interview at the Balwant Singh Hospital on Friday said that local physicians are also involved in the surgeries. He is anticipating that within three to four years local physicians will perform kidney transplants on their own.Subraj stated that examinations of patients are done by the overseas specialists free of cost but tests attract a cost at the hospital. Nonetheless, discounts are given on a case by case basis. Blood and tissue samples are taken to Washington for evaluations, which are done free of cost through Dr. Jindal. The team then returns to Guyana to perform the operations and carryout more screenings.Subraj emphasised that donors are required to be free of diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. Usually siblings or offspring are donors but if that is not possible then organ donation from the general public is required.Subraj said that some persons are very hesitant to donate their kidneys since they believe their lives will be disrupted but that is untrue. A myth surrounding kidney transplant in women is reproductive problems. He stressed that doctors have studied for years and found no disruption in women’s reproductive system in the absence of a kidney.According to Dr. Jindal, after surgery the risk for a healthy donor is minimal. He asserted that for the donor the operation is like any other surgery which requires healing and pain tablets.Meanwhile, the recipient needs lifelong anti-rejection tablets and follow-up is important. Initially they are seen once a week, and after three months they are seen once monthly. The doctors conduct laboratory studies; monitor blood pressure,Jerseys NFL Cheap, follow-up to ensure they are taking their medications.Subraj stated, “These medicines like Prograf and CellCepts are very expensive. We supply some of the pills free to the hospital. The Government had committed to give the medicine. We bring in those tablets. Sometimes the Government doesn’t really have those pills in stock.”Dr. Jindal said that during this visit the team saw new patients, advised them how to take care of their kidneys and when to start dialysis. In addition, 30 persons were screened with different stages of kidney failure.A healthy kidney is critical to the functioning of humans. If a person has kidney failure he or she needs dialysis; if the dialysis is not done then the patient goes into coma. However, that is dependent on the stage of the kidney failure. There are five stages, at the fourth and fifth stages dialysis is required, he noted.The team also performed five Arterieo-Venous Fistulas (a procedure where that connects the artery and vein that can be used for hemodialysis).Dr. Jindal stressed, “Another important thing we started doing is kidney biopsies on patients who were not getting correct diagnoses. Some patients who were in early stages of kidney failure for instance, an 11-year-old, we took back the specimen to the States for a renal pathologist to examine.”“We will change and modify their medications and start them on new medications so that the pediatrician here will follow them and hopefully prevent kidney failure by getting the correct diagnosis,” he stated.Some of the persons who previously underwent kidney transplants were Gopinauth Rampersaud, Mark David, Alan Roberio, Rory Hamilton, and the late Munesh Mangal.
