Bringing relief to patients suffering from kidney problems and in need of dialysis the Health Department, Assam Government has initiated a free Kidney Dialysis Programme for the patients. The objective is to provide free and safe kidney dialysis in the district and medical hospitals.
Announcing the programme, Health Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma told reporters that the programme is for everyone. Even those without an Atal Amrit Card or Ayushman Bharat enrollment can easily avail this facility. The programme will be officially inaugurated on 14th June at Nalbari Civil Hospital.
“Under the Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme the state government in a public-private-partnership will provide free kidney dialysis to the patients in the district and medical hospitals,” said Dr Sarma.
The Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme was rolled out in 2016 as part of the National Health Mission(NHM) for provision of free dialysis services to the poor.
Explaining the cost and logistics Dr Sarma said, “The Centre will provide the equipment, whereas the Assam government will provide the infrastructure and logistics support, and the private player will bring in the manpower. The cost borne by the private company on each dialysis will be reimbursed to the Assam government by the Government of India through NRHM and NHM. Ultimately the lion’s share will come from the Government of India.”
“On 5th February 2019, the Assam Government entered into an agreement with the Apollo Hospitals under which Apollo Hospitals will run the dialysis programme in our Civil and Medical hospitals. The dialysis machines required for the programme will be provided by Fairfax India Charitable Foundation. A total of 105 dialysis machines will be provided free of cost by the foundation to Assam Government,” said Dr Sarma.
