Thiruvananthapuram: Health Minister Veena George has launched a peritoneal dialysis scheme in 11 districts where patients can get free dialysis at home without having to go to hospitals. Peritoneal dialysis is the process of purifying the blood inside the body. The Peritoneal Dialysis Project has been expanded as part of a gradual reduction of hemodialysis, which can only be done in hospitals and is very expensive and physically challenging. Currently, this facility is available in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod districts. Peritoneal dialysis will be started soon in the remaining three districts, she said.
In addition to the medical colleges in the state, 36,000 to 39,000 dialysis sessions are conducted every month from the family health centers under the health department to the district and general hospitals. Dialysis is provided in Taluk, General, and District Hospitals and in some Community Health Centers and Family Health Centers. 937 dialysis machines are set up in 92 hospitals.
If covid disease affected those undergoing dialysis, the government will take stern action against private hospitals that deny dialysis later. All District Medical Officers have been directed to take strict action if any complaints are received in this regard. This was pointed out at a meeting of private hospitals. “Everyone has taken a sympathetic approach,” she said.
