A comprehensive collection of blood samples from residents is under way in Uddhanam of Srikakulam district., with scientists and medical experts investigating the causes of kidney diseases prevalent among the local population. So far, blood samples have been collected from 1,500 individuals.
According to a press release from the department of Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare on Tuesday (April 14), the samples are being sent to a special laboratory set up at the King George Hospital (KGH) in Visakhapatnam, which is equipped with advanced medical infrastructure at a cost of ₹80 lakh.
Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav, who was apprised about the progress of the investigation, emphasised that research should continue without any disruption and asked the experts to work towards providing relief to the affected people.
The Minister noted that while a similar research work was taken up during the previous regime, and The George Institute for Global Health of Australia was roped in for the project; the work could not be completed due to the previous government’s ‘negligence.’
It may be noted that the Indian Council of Medical Research(ICMR) had approved a grant of ₹6.2 crore in November, 2025, for a three-year research project to identify the cause of kidney disease in the region. The research is being done under the mentorship of senior nephrologist T. Raviraju, while nephrology professor, Andhra Medical College, G. Prasad is serving as the principal investigator.
