A world renowned researcher on Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown etiology (CKDU) Professor Mark de Broe from the University of Antwerp, Belgium is expected to release new information on the breakthrough finding for the cause of CKDU at the KDU-Mayo International Medical Conference scheduled to take place in Sri Lanka from February 7 to 10 at the Kotelawala Defence University Medical Faculty.
Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown aetiology is a significant public health problem in Sri Lanka, mainly affecting the farming community.
Professor Marc De Broe is Emeritus Professor of Medicine at the University of Antwerp.
He was formerly Head of the Department of Nephrology, Hypertension Renal Transplantation, University of Antwerp, Director of the Renal Research Unit of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Antwerp and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, who has done extensive research on CKDU. Addressing a press briefing at the KDU, Ratmalana yesterday, Chairman of the Organizing Committee and Senior Professor of Medicine at the KDU Medical Faculty Prof. Rezvi Sheriff said its a feather in the cap of the KDU to collaborate with a world class medical institution such as the Mayo Clinic USA. Around 22 participants are expected to participate in this conference from the US, at their own cost.
He also revealed that Prof. De Broe had found an inclusion body that is the root cause of CKDU and he will reveal it for the first time at the conference.
The Conference will be inaugurated on February 8 with Health Minister Dr.Rajitha Senaratne participating as the Chief Guest.
So far over 100,000 people have died due to CKDU and over 80,000 are said to be suffering from CKDU in the country.