Mobile dialysis units need of the hour: Activist

Even though it is a very interesting and helpful concept, not everyone can afford it. “There are a number of advantages in home haemodialysis. It is usually given five to six days a week – to remove the toxins. As it is given to the patient in an environment most comfortable to him, it serves as an advantage to keep the patient in a much better uremic milieu,” stated Dr Georgi Mathew, senior nephrologist, Madras Medical Mission.

However, owing to the challenges, it is not propagated. “The patient would need to have a machine at home, either bought or rented, and the machine must be attached to a Reverse Osmosis (RO) single unit plant. Electricity is another concern as a power cut could prove fatal,” said Dr Venkatesh Natarajan, Head of Nephrology Department, Saveetha Medical College.

While awareness on the same is lacking, the concept is found to be slowly emerging – with those who can afford it, opting for it. “Dialysis companies are slowly noticing the existence of a market in the country. Realising that purchasing the machine is very difficult for most patients, they are approaching hospitals and promoting the concept of machines that can be rented out,” he added.

With the burden of kidney failure found to be on the rise — almost 2.5 lakh people die of kidney failure in the county every year —activists state that the government should try to find an alternative for the regular dialysis. “The government can explore the idea of mobile dialysis centres, which can benefit a large number of the patients,” stated an activist.