In Hyderabad and Rangareddy, there are not enough dialysis centres for the growing number of kidney-related health complications. This means that people have to go to expensive corporate hospitals for treatment, which is hard on their health and finances. Hyderabad only has seven dialysis centres while Rangareddy, with a population of over 34 lakh, only has four.
In Hyderabad, there are government-run hospitals like District Hospital King Kothi, Area Hospital Nampally, Area Hospital Golconda, Area Hospital Malakpet, NIMS Hospitals, Osmania General Hospital, and Gandhi Hospitals that have dialysis centres. Poor patients in the Old City area usually go to hospitals like Area Hospital Malakpet, Mahavir Extension Centre Malakpet, Area Hospital Nampally, Area Hospital Golconda, and Asra Hospital for treatment.
There are 2400 registered patients getting treatment in government hospitals in Hyderabad, according to official statistics. However, the actual number of patients going to private hospitals for dialysis is higher than the official count.
The government is taking measures to address the issue of kidney diseases better than any other State. Dialysis treatment is provided for free in designated state-run hospitals. The Arogyasri scheme also covers cadaver transplantation procedures. The government also provides a pension of Rs 2,000 and free bus passes to the patients.
The government provides single-use dialysers to ensure the safety of patients going for dialysis every alternate day. Under the Arogyasri scheme, 1685 procedures have been done for free. After merging the Ayushman Bharat scheme with Arogyasri, the number of patients getting treatment in Hyderabad district has increased.
In Rangareddy, there are only four dialysis facilities in Vanasthalipuram, Shadnagar, Chevella, and Maheshwaram. Another facility in Ibrahimpatnam mandal will be functional in two weeks after fixing electrical issues.
Patients with renal failure need dialysis once, twice, or thrice a week or month. Dialysis is a temporary treatment until they can get a transplant. Finding a donor outside the family can take a long time after registering under the Jeevan Daan scheme.
Some patients have to go to private hospitals far from their homes because there are no facilities nearby. They face long waits for beds and have to spend a lot of money on each session.
