7.09.2008 - 12:42pm ET

(CSRwire) EL SEGUNDO, Calif., July 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Bridge of Life - DaVita Medical Missions(TM), a non-profit organization founded by DaVita Inc. that focuses on bringing life-saving dialysis to developing countries, officially opened the doors to its newest dialysis clinic in India in late June. The new clinic is located in the Mishirmal Bafnal Parmarath Hospital and is the first of two clinics that Bridge of Life - DaVita Medical Mission's partner, International Health Benefit Services, plans to open in India this summer with the support of the non-profit. The dialysis clinic will treat kidney patients at a minimal cost, bringing much-needed relief to the region's government hospitals.

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Chronic kidney disease affects 1 million people in India, with an additional 7.5 million people at risk for developing renal failure. Yet lifesaving dialysis treatments are generally unavailable in India. Bridge of Life - DaVita Medical Mission's new clinic will provide these services to local residents.

"Kidney disease is a huge problem in India and this clinic will provide quality dialysis [to masses at large] [to patients], both in terms of adequacy and improved sanitation, including optimal pre-treated water for treatment," said Dr. Manish Chaturvedy. "Along with these health improvements, the new clinic also brings a constant source of inspiration to all of us working together as a team in caring for the patients with renal failure."

In partnership with several health care providers and local physicians, Bridge of Life - DaVita Medical Missions also held a "Renal Awareness Camp" in Jodhpur on April 27 and provided free health care screenings, early detection and education materials on kidney disease and kidney failure to more than 150 local residents. Bridge of Life - DaVita Medical Mission translated many of the kidney care resources available in the U.S. and customized them for the Indian diet, lifestyle and culture -- thus providing a comprehensive toolkit to ensure the people of Jodhpur are better educated on end stage renal disease and chronic kidney disease (CKD).

"It is amazing to me that in such a short period of time so many wonderful resources have been made available and so many generous people have stepped forward to volunteer their time," said Ginny Mello, Executive Director for the Bridge of Life-DaVita Medical Missions program. "Bridge of Life is committed to working with the local physicians and team to support efforts that will help identify and treat diseases that contribute to the need for dialysis in India."

The Jodhpur clinic is one of four the Bridge of Life - DaVita Medical Missions has opened in underserved communities outside the United States to help care for those suffering from kidney disease and kidney failure. Partnership opportunities are continuing to grow throughout Central and South America, India, Pakistan, the Philippines and Sri Lanka. Bridge of Life's main sponsor, DaVita, is one of the leading providers of kidney care services in the United States and has been partnering with local entities around the world to help bring much needed assistance to impoverished communities. DaVita has provided technical support, equipment, supplies, training and thousands of teammate hours. As part of DaVita's commitment to building a healthy, caring community, DaVita develops, participates in and donates to numerous programs dedicated to transforming communities and creating positive, sustainable change for children, families and our environment.


About DaVita Inc.
DaVita Inc., a FORTUNE 500(R) company, is a leading provider of kidney care in the United States, providing dialysis services and education for patients with chronic kidney failure and end stage renal disease. DaVita manages more than 1,300 outpatient facilities and acute units in more than 700 hospitals located in 43 states and the District of Columbia, serving approximately 107,000 patients. For more information about DaVita, its kidney education programs and its community programs, please visit http://www.davita.com.


About Bridge of Life - DaVita Medical Missions
Bridge of Life - DaVita Medical Missions, a pending 501(c)(3) non-profit founded by DaVita, focuses on efforts to improve the quality of life for those in underserved communities both locally and throughout the world. Bridge of Life - DaVita Medical Missions in partnership with DaVita teammates establishes dialysis facilities, trains local staff, pre-screens local residents for chronic kidney disease (CKD) and works with local hospitals in underserved countries to provide quality dialysis assistance. For more information on Bridge of Life-DaVita Medical Missions' programs, please visit http://www.bridgeoflifemm.org.