Call to Promote Peritoneal Dialysis

Kidney diseases increasing at an alarming rate in India, peritoneal dialysis is effective, cost-free procedure

HYDERABAD: Comprehensive kidney disease health care, including peritoneal dialysis and other diagnostic services can be provided to about 30 lakh population residing in Hyderabad, Medak and Ranga Reddy districts at `99 per person, experts at the launch of policy report by the Public Health Foundation of India said here on Friday.

According to the report, stage five of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) or End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) in India is increasing at an alarming rate of 10-20 per cent annually, with about three lakh people developing ESRD every year. The report states that based on the current Indian population of 1.27 billion and about five lakh ESRD patients, only about 10 per cent or less receive RRT. The report also suggests peritoneal dialysis (PD) as an effective, cost-free procedure which can reach out to patients at the grassroot levels.

“Chronic Kidney Disease is at an epidemic stage and for India to look at a policy, we must ensure that treatment is given to people in rural areas as well,” said Dr Kanav Kahol, team leader, Division of Affordable Health Technologies, Public Health Foundation of India.

“Lot of people living in rural areas require dialysis. However, for them to undergo Hemo Dialysis, they will have to travel long distances to receive treatment in urban areas. With peritoneal dialysis, people can receive treatment just by staying at home,” Dr Kahol pointed out. They urged the state governments to encourage and promote PD procedure to help provide care at the grassroot levels.

“While hemo dialysis (HD) is an effective procedure, it is also expensive and the government does not have the means to buy enough machines to cater to people in rural areas. Moreover, 120 litres of water is required for a single HD machine, and they do not have the means to purchase enough water and electricity and there is also lack of space in all hospitals to accommodate the machines,” explained Dr Manisha Sahay, Head of Nephrology at Osmania Medical College & Hospital, Hyderabad.