THE URGENT NEED TO BRIDGE GAPS TO MAKE DIALYSIS MORE ACCESSIBLE AND AFFORDABLE FOR PATIENTS

Diabetes, hypertension and Chronic Kidney Disease of unknown origin are the main causes for the rise in the number of persons requiring dialysis. While some States are well equipped with haemodialysis machines, major gaps exist in others, while access and affordability remain challenges across the country

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Are healthcare systems prepared to handle the rising number of patients with end-stage kidney disease requiring dialysis? Over the years, dialysis services have undoubtedly expanded -- at least in some parts of the country -- but there are critical gaps and shortcomings that need to be addressed to meet the growing demand for dialysis services among patients, say experts.

According to the Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Program, which was rolled out in 2016 to provide free dialysis to the poor, about 2.2 lakh new patients with end-stage renal disease get added in India every year, resulting in an additional demand for 3.4 crore dialysis sessions. There are however, only 11,148 haemodialysis machines in the country. Among these, three States have over 1,000 machines each: Tamil Nadu (1,258), Kerala (1,259) and Gujarat (1,278).

Understanding dialysis outcome patterns in India through a nationwide study

What is driving the surge in renal failure?

Diabetes, hypertension and Chronic kidney Disease (CKD) of unknown origin are the main causes for the rise in the number of persons requiring dialysis. While there is better awareness among most, some patients still arrive at health-care facilities only when they already have serious complications, says M. Edwin Fernando, head, Department of Nephrology, Government Stanley Medical College Hospital (SMCH).