
Delhi Govt To Expand Dialysis Services With 150 New Machines At Six Hospitals
New Delhi: Delhi govt is set to expand its healthcare infrastructure by adding 150 new dialysis machines across six govt hospitals. This initiative will provide complimentary dialysis services to economically weaker sections whilst offering subsidised treatment to others.The expansion is being executed through Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme (PMNDP) and PPP Dialysis Project . This development supplements the existing network of 150 machines currently operating under these programmes at 10 govt hospitals."We are proud to lead this effort in Delhi to ensure that life-saving dialysis is not a privilege but a right for every citizen, especially the needy people," said health minister Pankaj Kumar Singh. "No patient should be denied care due to financial hardship."The minister further added, "This is not just a medical service expansion; it is a promise to our people that Delhi govt stands by their side during hardship."The current 150 dialysis machines are functioning at Bhagwan Mahavir Hospital, Guru Gobind Singh Govt Hospital, Indira Gandhi Hospital, Pt Madan Mohan Malaviya Hospital, Deep Chand Bandhu Hospital, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, Maharishi Valmiki Hospital, Lok Nayak Hospital, Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital and Dr Hedgewar Aarogya Sansthan.The new installations are occurring at six additional facilities—Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital, Jag Pravesh Chandra Hospital, Burari Hospital, Janakpuri Super Specialty Hospital, Ambedkar Nagar Hospital, and Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital.Under PMNDP hospitals, patients possessing a National Food Security Card for PR & PRS category or an income certificate showing an annual income below Rs one lakh under the BPL category receive free dialysis services.For PPP model hospitals, Delhi residents with three years of residency and holding either a National Food Security Card or an income certificate showing an annual income up to Rs 3,00,000 qualify for free dialysis.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Sickle cell anaemia test kits priced less than Rs 50 in govt's bid to eradicate the disease
Sickle cell anaemia tests have become much more affordable, with the government driving the prices of kits to less than Rs 50 in its bid to make diagnosis accessible and eradicate the inherited blood disorder. Two ICMR centres -- National Institute of Immunohaematology ( NIIH ) in Mumbai and the Centre for Research Management and Control of Haemoglobinopathies (CRHCM) in Nagpur -- have validated 35 point-of-care tests for sickle cell anaemia diagnosis developed by different firms in the past six months. The government has proposed large-scale screening for the blood disorder under the National Sickle Cell Elimination Programme , targeting a population of seven crore. "The initial manufacturer's quote was Rs 350 per test. The Department of Health Research received a request to conduct a health technology assessment to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of sickle cell diagnostic kits," Dr Prabhakar Kedar, a senior scientist at the NIIH, told PTI. The ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, along with PGI Chandigarh and NIIH, conducted a comprehensive assessment and determined that point-of-care tests for sickle cell disease/trait among the high-risk population in India would be cost-effective if procured at Rs 100 per test or below. Live Events Following the recommendation, the National Health Mission instructed state health departments to procure the diagnostic kits at a maximum price of Rs 100 per test, Dr Kedar informed. "Through public tendering, the competitive procurement process drove the price of the kits down to Rs 82 per test, significantly below the initial quote, resulting in a saving of Rs 1,857 crore. "Subsequently, NIIH validated new kits and the manufacturer has agreed to sell the kits at less than Rs 50 per test," Dr Kedar stated. To support the fight against sickle cell disease, Dr Prabhakar Kedar (Nodal Officer) at ICMR-NIIH in Mumbai and Dr Naga Muralidhar, scientist, at CRMCH in Chandrapur have been chosen by the government to test and approve the new diagnostic kits. "So far, they have checked and approved 35 different kits, including simple tests that can be done on the spot (like finger-prick tests), lab-based tests and molecular tests that detect the disease at the genetic level," Dr Muralidhar elaborated. Most of these kits were tested and approved within just one month of receiving them, he said and added this fast-track validation has helped ensure that high-quality and accurate test kits are available quickly, especially for use in remote and tribal areas. . Dr Kedar termed these efforts a big boost for the National Sickle Cell Elimination Mission, which aims to eliminate the disease from India by 2047. Sickle Cell Disease is one of the most common inherited blood disorders, primarily affecting individuals in sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, India, and parts of the Mediterranean. In India alone, the disease burden is significant, especially among tribal and certain non-tribal populations in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Gujarat, and other central and western states. Dr Kedar said that an estimated over 20 million people in India carry the sickle cell gene, and approximately 1 in every 70 births in some regions is affected by the disease. The disease presents a major public health challenge due to its chronic nature, early onset, and high morbidity if not adequately managed, he said. Beyond physical suffering, individuals with sickle cell disease face social stigma and discrimination. Myths that the disease is contagious or a curse result in isolation, marital issues, and academic or workplace challenges. Children often face bullying, while adults struggle with low self-esteem and mental health problems due to chronic pain, fatigue, and visible symptoms, Dr Kedar added. Addressing these challenges requires culturally sensitive health education, psychosocial support, inclusive school and work policies, and patient empowerment. "Government interventions must ensure legal protection, insurance coverage, and welfare schemes to improve the quality of life and reduce the burden of sickle cell disease," Dr Kedar stressed.


The Print
an hour ago
- The Print
Sickle cell anaemia test kits priced less than Rs 50 in govt's bid to eradicate disease
The government has proposed large-scale screening for the blood disorder under the National Sickle Cell Elimination Programme, targeting a population of seven crore. Two ICMR centres — National Institute of Immunohaematology (NIIH) in Mumbai and the Centre for Research Management and Control of Haemoglobinopathies (CRHCM) in Nagpur — have validated 35 point-of-care tests for sickle cell anaemia diagnosis developed by different firms in the past six months. New Delhi, Jun 23 (PTI) Sickle cell anaemia tests have become much more affordable, with the government driving the prices of kits to less than Rs 50 in its bid to make diagnosis accessible and eradicate the inherited blood disorder. 'The initial manufacturer's quote was Rs 350 per test. The Department of Health Research received a request to conduct a health technology assessment to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of sickle cell diagnostic kits,' Dr Prabhakar Kedar, a senior scientist at the NIIH, told PTI. The ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, along with PGI Chandigarh and NIIH, conducted a comprehensive assessment and determined that point-of-care tests for sickle cell disease/trait among the high-risk population in India would be cost-effective if procured at Rs 100 per test or below. Following the recommendation, the National Health Mission instructed state health departments to procure the diagnostic kits at a maximum price of Rs 100 per test, Dr Kedar informed. 'Through public tendering, the competitive procurement process drove the price of the kits down to Rs 82 per test, significantly below the initial quote, resulting in a saving of Rs 1,857 crore. 'Subsequently, NIIH validated new kits and the manufacturer has agreed to sell the kits at less than Rs 50 per test,' Dr Kedar stated. To support the fight against sickle cell disease, Dr Prabhakar Kedar (Nodal Officer) at ICMR-NIIH in Mumbai and Dr Naga Muralidhar, scientist, at CRMCH in Chandrapur have been chosen by the government to test and approve the new diagnostic kits. 'So far, they have checked and approved 35 different kits, including simple tests that can be done on the spot (like finger-prick tests), lab-based tests and molecular tests that detect the disease at the genetic level,' Dr Muralidhar elaborated. Most of these kits were tested and approved within just one month of receiving them, he said and added this fast-track validation has helped ensure that high-quality and accurate test kits are available quickly, especially for use in remote and tribal areas. Dr Kedar termed these efforts a big boost for the National Sickle Cell Elimination Mission, which aims to eliminate the disease from India by 2047. Sickle Cell Disease is one of the most common inherited blood disorders, primarily affecting individuals in sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, India, and parts of the Mediterranean. In India alone, the disease burden is significant, especially among tribal and certain non-tribal populations in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Gujarat, and other central and western states. Dr Kedar said that an estimated over 20 million people in India carry the sickle cell gene, and approximately 1 in every 70 births in some regions is affected by the disease. The disease presents a major public health challenge due to its chronic nature, early onset, and high morbidity if not adequately managed, he said. Beyond physical suffering, individuals with sickle cell disease face social stigma and discrimination. Myths that the disease is contagious or a curse result in isolation, marital issues, and academic or workplace challenges. Children often face bullying, while adults struggle with low self-esteem and mental health problems due to chronic pain, fatigue, and visible symptoms, Dr Kedar added. Addressing these challenges requires culturally sensitive health education, psychosocial support, inclusive school and work policies, and patient empowerment. 'Government interventions must ensure legal protection, insurance coverage, and welfare schemes to improve the quality of life and reduce the burden of sickle cell disease,' Dr Kedar stressed. PTI PLB NSD NSD This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.


The Print
an hour ago
- The Print
ICMR's NIIH develops simple point of care test for haemophilia A, Von Willebrand Disease
Bleeding disorders such as haemophilia A and Von Willebrand Disease (VWD) represent significant public health challenges in India due to underdiagnosis and limited access to diagnostic facilities. The test offers a promising alternative to the current standard of care which relies on complex and costly diagnostic procedures limited to very few tertiary facilities in India, Dr Rucha Patil, scientist at the National Institute of Immunohaematology (NIIH) in Mumbai, said. New Delhi, Jun 23 (PTI) A simple and affordable point-of-care test kit has been indigenously developed by the National Institute of Immunohaematology for early diagnosis of genetic bleeding disorders haemophilia A and Von Willebrand Disease. The point-of-care (PoC) test costs just Rs 582 while the current lab-based tests cost around Rs 2,086, Dr Bipin Kulkarni, scientist, at NIIH, said. The test kit was invented by former scientist Dr Shrimati Shetty and former ICMR postdoctoral fellow from NIIH Dr. Priyanka Kasatkar. The World Federation for Haemophilia has shown interest in procuring these tests for deployment in countries where the disease is prevalent, Dr Manisha Madkaikar, director of NIIH, Mumbai and Centre for Research Management and Control of Haemoglobinopathies (CRHCM) in Nagpur under the ICMR, said. 'For India, this new rapid, visual card testing device has made testing possible even at primary health centres bringing diagnosis closer to the people who need it most. By using these PoC kits at PHCs and other local health centres, India can find and treat these bleeding disorders early, improve patient outcomes, and cut healthcare costs dramatically. This is a major step toward improving care for one of the country's most neglected health issues', Dr Madkaikar said. The Health Technology Assessment (HTA) analysis team of ICMR and Department of Health Research (DHR) recommended that the PoC kits for haemophilia A and VWD are suitable for primary facility-based screening and suggested integration of the test into the national health programs at primary healthcare level. This is currently being implemented in different states, Dr Kulkarni said. 'This kit could help detect over 83,000 undiagnosed cases', he said, adding, 'It would save the health system about Rs 42 crore, which is three times cheaper than the current method'. Haemophilia A and VWD are the two most common inherited bleeding disorders. People with these conditions often suffer from joint swelling, easy bruising, muscle bleeding, and in women, heavy menstrual bleeding or complications during childbirth. 'India is estimated to have 1.5 lakh people with haemophilia, but only about 27,000 are officially diagnosed,' Dr Patil said. 'Incidence of haemophilia A is 1 in 5,000 male births. VWD is known to affect 1 per cent of general population,' she said. 'Haemophilia A is passed down in families through the X chromosome (X linked recessive disorder)', Dr Patil explained. 'Boys are usually the ones who have the disease, because they have only one X chromosome. If that X has the faulty gene, they don't have a 'backup' and will show symptoms. Girls usually have two X chromosomes, so if one X has the faulty gene, the other X can often make up for it. These girls are called 'carriers',' he said. 'The VWD is an autosomal disease. This means both males and females can get it equally. It is not linked to gender like haemophilia,' Dr Patil added. PTI PLB DV DV This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.