Hyderabad: Medical experts are asking for the implementation of stricter norms to ensure that only genuinely needy persons avail free dialysis services.
The Central government is in the process of setting up 688 haemodialysis units across the country, of which 34 are in TS.
At present, free dialysis units are in operation at seven locations including Gandhi Hospital, Osmania General Hospital, and the teaching hospitals of Warangal and Nizamabad districts.
Professor Pradeep Deshpande, a senior nephrologist, says, “We need to have very clear guidelines that will help to identify poor people so that the benefits really reach them. The haemodialysis units which are going to be set up will cost the government Rs 40,000 per patient per month.”
Another senior nephrologist says, “Often we get requests from ministers and calls from the office of the Chief Minister to consider well-to-do patients. When this happens, it defeats the purpose of providing free dialysis for poor patients. It must be clear that such requests must not be made by the offices of ministers, and patients capable of paying must not be entertained.”
Setting up a haemodialysis unit is a costly affair. It requires machinery, a sanitary location, and staff to assist the patients.
Professor Vivekanand Jha, the executive director of the George Institute for Global Health - India, says, “The government is looking at private-public partnerships for the setting up of haemodialysis units. In doing so, private partners are looking for higher profit margins.”
He adds, “While the government’s initiative is encouraging, they must study the models developed by countries such as Hong Kong, Canada, Thailand and parts of Europe, where cheap, cost-effective methods of peritoneal dialysis have been set up. The idea is to have the maximum number of poor people benefit from the scheme by reducing setup costs.”
All about the process of dialysis
Haemodialysis is a process in which a machine carries out the function of a kidney. The dialysis unit filters waste, removes extra fluid, and balances electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, bicarbonate, chloride, calcium, magnesium and phosphate.
Peritoneal dialysis is a process in which a tube or catheter is inserted into the lining of the abdomen to filter the blood within the body. The tube is inserted a few weeks before treatment begins. Doctors in India say that in the absence of proper standards for personal hygiene, this method can lead the development of infections. The treatment of such infections is a costly affair.
