EMPATHY ΤΟ ALTRUISM

A free dialysis centre in the interiors of Uttar Pradesh has been a godsend to thousands who cannot afford the expensive treatment

- By ASHISH MISRA

The greatest forms of charity give succour to the most vulnerable. Retired clerk Balram Chandra, 61, a resident of Gurugram, spent much of his hard-earned provident fund on weekly dialysis at a private hospital. “Within two years, I spent Rs 5 five lakh. When there was no money left, I gave up dialysis,” he says. In April 2023, Balram heard about a free dialysis centre in Barhalganj area of Gorakhpur district in Uttar Pradesh through a relative. For the past seven months, he has been undergoing free dialysis at the Babu R.N. Singh Dialysis Centre in Bharauli village on the banks of Saryu river, 75 km from Gorakhpur town. The centre was inaugurated by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on March 29, 2023. Since then, over 5,000 dialysis procedures have been done gratis for 2,000 beneficiaries. Over half of them are from states beyond UP.