SRINAGAR: The government has commenced the process of establishing dialysis facilities at 11 Sub-District Hospitals (SDHs) and Community Health Centres (CHCs) across Jammu and Kashmir.
A senior health official said that the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir has instructed the Chief Engineer of the Mechanical Engineering Department Kashmir to prepare detailed estimates for the installation of dialysis centres. This includes the installation of 500 LPH ROPs, water loops, storage systems, transfer pumps, electrical backups with stabilisers, and other allied works.
The Chief Engineer has been directed to submit the estimates to the directorate within seven days in consultation with the respective Block Medical Officers to expedite the administrative approval process.
The health facilities identified for the establishment of dialysis centres include SDH Dooru in Anantnag, CHC Pattan and CHC Chandoosa in Baramulla, CHC Chaar-e-Shareef, CHC Nagam, and CHC Pakherpora in Budgam, SDH Kangan in Ganderbal, SDH Kralpora in Kupwara, SDH DH Pora in Kulgam, SDH Zainapora in Shopian, and SDH Tral in Pulwama.
According to the official, the introduction of dialysis centres in SDHs and CHCs is set to enhance healthcare accessibility and affordability for patients suffering from chronic kidney diseases.
“Patients previously had to travel long distances to tertiary care centres or district hospitals for dialysis, incurring significant travel costs and time. Establishing these facilities closer to home will alleviate this burden,” the official said.
Government-run dialysis centres will offer services free of cost to patients from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families, while others will benefit from subsidised rates, thereby significantly reducing out-of-pocket expenses.
This initiative is expected to provide much-needed financial relief to families that had been incurring high costs at private centres. Additionally, it will improve patients’ quality of life by reducing travel-related fatigue and freeing up time for personal and professional activities.
The decentralisation of dialysis services will also help ease the patient load on tertiary hospitals, allowing them to focus on more complex cases, the official added. (KNO)
