Srinagar, Dec 18 (KNO): In a significant development, the government has begun the process of starting dialysis facilities at 11 Sub District Hospitals (SDHs) and Community Health Centres (CHCs) in Jammu and Kashmir.
A top health official informed the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that Directorate of Health Services Kashmir has written to Chief Engineer, Mechanical Engineering Department Kashmir to prepare detailed estimates for installation of Dialysis Centres, installation of 500 LPH ROP, installation of Loop, water storage, transferring pumps, electricity backups with stabilizers etc and other allied works.
He said the Chief Engineer has been asked to submit detailed estimates to the directorate within seven days in consultation with concerned Block Medical Officers so that administrative approval may be convened.
The health 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.
He said establishing dialysis centers in SDHs and CHCs in Kashmir offers significant benefits, enhancing healthcare accessibility and affordability for patients with chronic kidney diseases.
The official said that patients had to travel long distances to tertiary care centers and district hospitals for dialysis, incurring substantial travel costs and time.
Dialysis facilities in SDHs and CHCs will reduce this burden, enabling patients to receive essential care closer to home, he said.
He added that the government-run dialysis centers provide services free of cost to Below Poverty Line (BPL) patients and at subsidized rates for others, significantly reducing out-of-pocket expenses.
This financial relief is crucial for families, who previously faced high costs at private centers, they added.
Regular access to nearby dialysis centers improves patients' quality of life by minimizing travel-related fatigue and allowing more time for personal and professional activities, the health official added.
Decentralizing dialysis services to SDHs and CHCs will alleviate the patient load on tertiary hospitals, allowing these facilities to focus on more complex cases, he added—(KNO)