Early Times Report
JAMMU, Feb 25: Despite lapse of two years, the National Dialysis Programme is yet to take off in the Jammu and Kashmir, and needy patients are being forced to run from pillar to post to get dialysis done. Many have reported died due to availability of affordable treatment.
However, the concerned authority claimed that due to poor participation in tendering process, the implementation of the scheme has been delayed in the state.
Pertinently, the Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme was rolled out in 2016 as part of the National Health Mission (NHM) for provision of free dialysis services to the poor. The Guidelines for Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme envisage provision of dialysis services under NHM in PPP (Public Private Partnership) mode.
Official sources told that but for inordinate delay in setting up the Rs 200 lakh funded NDP could have eased the financial burden on thousands of kidney patients in the state. With aim to provide free dialysis services to the poor, the scheme was announced in 2016 for 10 identified district hospitals of J&K.
"In Jammu, the dialysis units will be established in district hospital of Kathua, Udhampur, Kishtawar, and Doda. In Kashmir, the dialysis centers would be set up in district hospital Anantnag, DH Pulwama, DH Baramulla and DH Kupwara. Similarly, District Hospital Leh has been selected for free dialysis, "sources added.
Source further added that the centrally sponsored scheme assures provision of free dialysis for kidney disease at the district level, but the same is yet to take off owing to low participation in the tender process as well as lack of trained manpower. As a result, the long queues of patients are seen either waiting for their turn in existing dialysis unit at Super Speciality Hospital Jammu or move outside the town to get costly treatment.
A senior official in Health and Medical Education department, wishing not to be named, told that the arrangements are being done to give training to doctors as well as the paramedical staff of the government hospital. "The facility will be available at district level hospital as soon as possible, "he added. |
