Kerala launches comprehensive programme for managing paediatric renal issues

The Health department has launched an initiative for the early detection and comprehensive management of renal diseases, which has been on the rise amongst children.

The initiative – Paediatric Renal Assessment, Tratment and Intervention in Kerala (Pratiksha) – has been formulated for identifying renal diseases in children early and for minimising the adverse impact of the disease by ensuring early intervention and timely treatment of the condition.

Health Minister Veena George launched the initiative on World Kidney Day on Thursday (March 12, 2026) at SAT Hospital.

The rise in renal diseases is emerging as a major public health challenge amongst children. Delays in diagnosis leads to complications, which may ultimately require the children to be put on expensive and long-term disease management modalities such as maintenance dialysis or renal transplants. Such chronic conditions affect the health and quality of life of children and push families into impoverishment

Early detection

Pratiksha aims at tackling congenital renal problems right from the time of gestation. A special team of experts, including obstetrician, paediatrician, paediatric nephrologist and paediatric surgeon will monitor a pregnant woman through her gestation to ensure that any congenital renal abnormalities are picked up and dealt with during the neonatal period itself and that comprehensive care and follow-ups is offered to children.

The District Early Intervention Centres will refer infants and children who need special and advanced care and treatment to medical colleges. The SAT Hospital will function as the State-level paediatric nephrology hub.

Through Pratiksha, the State aims at early detection of renal diseases and arresting the progress of the disease through proper treatment. Long-term follow-ups as well as comprehensive renal replacement programme will be ensured. The Health department intends connect the scheme with the Hridyam portal (which streamlines and manages the treatment of children with congenital heart disease) so that efficient follow-up , monitoring and continuity of care can be ensured.

The scheme is expected to strengthen other initiatives to manage the health of children.

The renal transplant team at SAT hospital, which managed to perform two paediatric renal transplants back-to-back recently, was congratulated on the occasion of World Kidney Day.

Kadakampally Surendran, MLA, presided. The director of medical education; senior Thiruvananthapuram medical college functionaries; K-SOTTO executive director Noble Gracious; paediatric nephrology head Susan Uthup, Child Health State nodal officer, U.R. Rahul, among others, were present.