The Ministry of Health and Population has planned to expand free dialyses in 16 districts across seven provinces.

Preparations are afoot to provide free dialyses service to the kidney patients in Dadeldhura, Doti, Jumla, Pyuthan, Arghakhanchi, Palpa, Syangja, Ilam, Panchthar, Dolakha, Ramechhap, Siraha, Sarlahi, Mahottari, Rautahat and Kanchanpur districts. The government is currently providing patients Rs4,000 for the treatment of kidney disease, Rs400,000 for kidney transplantation, and Rs100,000 for medicines after transplantation.

As many as 4,500 kidney patients have been availing the service 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 Surendra Yadav, however, said financial constraint for the tardy expansion of dialyses service. The ministry has paid attention to raise public awareness on kidney disease, he added.

In the meeting, committee member Khagaraj Adhikari underscored government’s efforts in providing the free dialyses service in all seven provinces. Another member Man Bahadur Bishwokarma urged the Health Ministry to continue public awareness on the prevention of kidney diseases.

The growing number of kidney patients and budget constraint for the treatment is worrying, member Umesh Shrestha expressed concern. Member Dil Bahadur Gharti also pointed out the need of expanding dialyses service in all provinces.