The Bharatpur Hospital launched free kidney dialysis services on Sunday.

The hospital has installed 12 units of dialysis equipment to provide free services to the kidney patients. With this launch, the kidney patients can now avail the dialysis service at two facilities in the district.

Tens of thousands of patients from Chitwan and neighbouring districts, including Dhanusha, Sarlahi, Rautahat, Bara, Parsa visit the hospital for the treatment annually.

Hospital’s Medical Superintendent Dr Rudra Marasini said that the free of cost service has been introduced at the hospital as per the government’s policy. “Patients with kidney ailments were forced to take costly dialysis services from private medical institutions,” said Dr Marasini, “Now the service is available at government hospital free of cost and people with low-income will benefit from it.” The hospital, however, said the patients will have to pay for additional diagnosis and medicines.

According to Dr Marasini, six medical personnel have been trained to administer the service. At present, 24 patients can avail the dialysis service in two phases each day, he said adding that the hospital is planning to increase it to 36 patients in near future.