Aimed at achieving equity in patient access to home-based peritoneal dialysis, reducing the overall cost of care, and bringing in the consistency of practice, pricing and a full range of product availability, the Health Ministry has released guidelines for establishing peritoneal dialysis services under the Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Program (PMNDP).
- The guidelines were formulated after an extensive consultative process coordinated by the National Health Systems Resource Centre and an expert committee.
- The Ministry has requested all States to include proposals for establishing peritoneal under their respective program implementation plans.
- This move will instantly benefit the 2 lakh Indians who develop end-stage kidney failure every year in India. Mass-based peritoneal dialysis programs also have the potential to substantially bring down the cost of treatment.
- Health Ministry had announced the National Dialysis Programme in 2016 and the first phase of the program envisaged setting up of hemodialysis centres in all districts.
- Children with kidney failure were particularly disadvantaged due to the exclusion of peritoneal dialysis from this program.
- The guidelines also envisage providing training to community health workers to provide support to persons for peritoneal dialysis at home or in primary healthcare settings.
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