Most people who are on regular haemodialysis for chronic kidney disease have the option of switching to a more convenient form of dialysis — Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD).
However, there is very little awareness of the procedure among the medical fraternity and patients, doctors say. Now, the Sapiens Health Foundation has launched a programme that will not only raise awareness, but also help support patients on the treatment.
According to Rajan Ravichandran, founder of Sapiens Health Foundation, only around 7,000 people in the country undergo CAPD, though the risks are fewer with this procedure, compared with haemodialysis.
In CAPD, doctors introduce a catheter through the abdomen into the peritoneum (space between the membranes that separate the organs in the abdomen from the abdominal wall). Through this, the dialysing fluid flows into the peritoneum. “The main risk with CAPD is peritonitis (infection of the peritoneum), but with basic hygiene, it is possible to minimise the risk,” Dr. Ravichandran said.
Through the CAPD Assist Program, the foundation is reaching out to corporates and other sponsors to help patients who need the procedure. “With Rs. 1 lakh, we can provide CAPD for one patient for a year,” Dr. Ravichandran said.
For more information, visit www.sapiensfoundation.org.
A programme seeks to raise awareness on a more convenient form of dialysis
