Although Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced in his maiden budget that a dialysis centre would be set up in each taluk of the State, lack of technicians has hit the programme.
Now, the government has decided to start a dialysis centre in at least one taluk of every district. The changed proposal had been approved by the State Cabinet and work on setting up the centres would begin shortly, Health Minister U.T. Khader has said. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the 4th national conference of the Indian Association of Clinical Cardiologists here on Friday, Mr. Khader said the incidence of terminal renal failure was rising at an alarming rate. “Patients, especially from the rural areas, are finding it difficult to reach a hospital and undergo dialysis. Hence, the government felt there is a need for at least one centre in every taluk. But as this is not working out because of lack of technicians, we will go ahead with a centre in at least one taluk of every district,” he said.
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Mr. Khader said the government was also considering the pros and cons of initiating peritoneal dialysis in rural areas. “We will start peritoneal dialysis on a pilot basis in a district and extend it to other parts based on its success,” he said.
“Lack of facilities in government hospitals is a major hitch in treating patients suffering terminal renal failure. In this context, peritoneal dialysis that can be easily done at home is a better option,” he said.
Peritoneal dialysis is a life saving method of cleansing blood of toxins whichgets accumulated in patients with chronic kidney failure.
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According to doctors, this is an easy form of dialysis, which can be done at home with minimal training to patients and their care-givers (relatives of patients).
This can be carried out by para-medical staff and the patient needs to visit the hospital once a month.