KATHMANDU, Jan 20: The Ministry of Health and Population has planned to expand free dialysis in 16 districts representing the seven provinces.
Preparations are afoot to provide free dialysis service to the kidney patients at Dadeldhura, Doti, Jumla, Pyuthan, Arghakhanchi, Palpa, Syangja, Ilam, Panchthar, Dolakha, Ramechhap, Siraha, Sarlahi, Mahottari, Rautahat and Kanchanpur districts. For the kidney patients, the government at present is providing Rs 4,000 for the treatment of kidney disease, Rs 400 thousand for kidney transplantation, and Rs 100 thousand for the medicine after the transplantation.
Another 11 hospitals to avail free kidney dialysis service
As many as 4,500 kidney patients have been receiving the service from across the provinces, said the Ministry. Sharing information with the meeting of the Education and Health Committee of the House of Representatives, Minister of State for Health, Dr Surendra Yadav, however, said financial strength for the expansion of dialysis service was poor. The Ministry has paid attention to raise public awareness of kidney disease, he added.
In the meeting, Committee member Khagaraj Adhikari underscored that the government became serious to provide the free dialysis service in all seven provinces. Similarly, another member Man Bahadur Bishwokarma urged the Health Ministry to continue public awareness on how the kidney disease could be prevented.
Growing number of kidney patients on the one hand and decreasing budget for the treatment is worrying, viewed member Umesh Shrestha.
Member Dil Bahadur Gharti also pointed out the need of expanding dialysis service in all provinces. RSS