CHENNAI: A first of its kind exclusive haemodialysis facility, set up by the Tamil Nadu Kidney Research Foundation (TANKER) for HIV infected patients suffering from chronic kidney diseases, was inaugurated at the Madras Medical Mission Hospital on Saturday.
“Studies show that 10 per cent of HIV infected patients have chronic kidney failures. But due to the stigma attached to the disease, they do not come forward to avail of such facilities. Some hospitals too treat them with the fear of contracting infection,” said YRG Care director Suniti Solomon.
An exclusive treatment facility for th em will go a long way in helping them access proper treatment, she said.
At the inauguration, Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi lauded the efforts saying that the poor will be benefited by this new facility.
His wife, Mercy Abraham passed away in the same hospital due to renal failure two months ago.
Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi who could not be present at the occasion, stated in her message that with hospitals refusing treatment for HIV infected patients, such a venture for the marginalised people is appreciable.
George Abraham, Founder Trustee of TANKER, said that the HIV infected persons are prone to kidney related problems.
The units started by TANKER would follow universal precautionary measures, which ought to be followed in every haemodialysis unit.
“While there are several international studies on how many of the HIV infected persons suffer from renal failures, no such specific data is available on India. It is very difficult for the poor HIV patients with chronic kidney diseases to get dialysis,” he added.
Managing trustee of TANKER Lata Kumarasamy stated that there would be two dialysis units and a single machine that can treat up to three patients per day.
The units will be operational from next week, with one unit at Kilpauk and the other at Ambattur.