Dialysis within your reach

According to a 2009 study conducted by the department of medicine in Lok Nayak Hospital, one in 10 adults suffer from some kind of a chronic kidney disorder.

According to a 2009 study conducted by the department of medicine in Lok Nayak Hospital, one in 10 adults suffer from some kind of a chronic kidney disorder.

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For survival, close to two lakh people with kidney failure depend on haemo-dialysis—a mechanical process to help the body get rid of harmful wastes.

Delhi has no more than 27 centres — public and private hospitals included— offering dialysis, making the treatment cost exorbitant and waiting time very high.

In an attempt to bridge the demand and supply divide, the Delhi government has floated tenders for private participation for procuring and maintaining at least 60 dialysis machines at low cost in government hospitals.

“We had hired a private transaction advisor for this partnership in August this year. Last week, we floated tenders to invite private players,” said J.P. Singh, principal health secretary (health).

“As per our plans, all our big hospitals which are spread over various parts of Delhi will have 15 dialysis machines each. According to our present estimates we are hoping to bring down the costs of each dialysis session to as low as Rs 800.”

Singh said, according to plans, the private player will provide equipment, consumables and nurses, while the government will provide infrastructure and technicians. “The sheer volume of patients will help bring down costs,” he said.

In private hospitals offering dialysis treatment, a patient has to pay between Rs 2000 and Rs 2,500 per session. In most cases of chronic kidney failure, patients need to undergo at least eight sittings a month, driving the monthly treatment costs up to Rs 20,000.

In contrast, government hospitals like AIIMS and Lok Nayak, the patient is required to pay only for the dialysis fluid, which costs between Rs 250- Rs 300. Since the machine and the technician fees are free, the monthly dialysis fluid requirement costs up to approximately Rs 1, 200.

While the Delhi government has not given itself a deadline yet, they hope to get the process started in the next six months, if all goes well.